School of Choice Procedures and Information

By submitting a School of Choice Transfer application, you (as the parent/guardian) acknowledge to have read, understand, and agree to all sections outlined in the School of Choice Procedures and Information, as well as the Types of Transfers set forth by the Santa Ana Unified School District:

• To be considered for the following school year, applications must be submitted during the School of Choice Transfer period, January of the preceding school year.
• You are the parent, guardian, or caregiver of the named student.
• You have read all sections of the School of Choice Transfer Procedures and Information
• Only one (1) School of Choice Transfer application may be submitted per school year and once submitted, it cannot be changed or withdrawn after submission.
• SAUSD placement decision is final.
• If approved, your student may not be permitted to transfer to any other school in the District during the 2026- 27 school year and may be denied enrollment at the school of residence if capacity has been reached.
• Mid-year transfers of enrolled residents are not permitted.
• Transfer permits may be revoked for issues such as poor attendance, persistent behavioral problems, providing false information on the application, space availability, or program impact.
• All California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rules and regulations regarding transfers and athletic eligibility are applicable.
• The district is not obligated to provide transportation for students on any transfer.
• All information provided to SAUSD relating to this transfer request is certified to be complete, true, correct, and you agree with all conditions related to this application.
• Approved transfers must confirm acceptance of their approved application within by the date included in your approval notification. Failure may result in the loss of your approved seat to another student.

Decisions on all complete requests will be sent in Spring of 2026.

Incomplete Transfer Requests will not be processed, make sure all requested items are submitted.

ALL DECISIONS ARE FINAL

• Space Availability: All transfer approvals are based on available space at the requested school.
• No Displacement: No student who currently lives within a school's attendance area will be displaced by a transfer student.
• ​​​​​​Lottery: After enrollment priority students are placed, if the number of applications for a school exceeds its capacity, a random, unbiased lottery will be held to determine admission.
• Basis for Decision: Decisions are NOT based on a student's academic or athletic performance.

  • Exception: Middle College High School may use their own uniform entrance criteria.

Waiting List: A waiting list will be established to show the order in which applicants may be accepted if openings occur during the year.

Enrollment Priorities (Applied Before Lottery/Final Decision)

SAUSD will grant priority for enrollment to transfer students in the following order:

1. Victims of a violent criminal offense on school grounds.

2. Students attending a school designated as "persistently dangerous."

3. Victims of a documented act of bullying.

4. Children of active-duty military parents.

5. Students with special circumstances that might be harmful or dangerous (e.g., threats to safety or emotional stability). This requires written proof from a law enforcement agency, social worker, licensed professional (therapist, psychologist), or a court order.

6. Students who have a sibling already attending and the sibling will continue to be enrolled at the requested school for the 2026-27 school year.

7. Students whose parent/guardian is assigned to that school as their primary place of employment.

• SAUSD may also approve transfers for reasons such as childcare needs, specific health needs, or enrollment in a specialized program not offered in your home district.

Visit the Schools and Programs page for a complete list of schools

The following schools/grades are at capacity and NOT available to new transfer students for the 2026-27 school year:

List will be posted December 2025

The following schools/grades are approaching capacity and have limited availability:

List will be posted December 2025

Receiving Your Decision:

• Notification: You will receive a written notification of approval, denial (with reasons), or placement on a waiting list.

If Your Transfer is Approved:

• Confirmation: You must confirm your enrollment within 10 school days of notification.

If Your Transfer is Denied:

• Intradistrict: You may submit a complaint in accordance with the district's complaint procedure.

• Interdistrict: You have the right to appeal the denial to the County Board of Education within 30 calendar days of SAUSD's final denial.

Intradistrict Open Enrollment (For SAUSD Residents)

• Who is this for? Families who live within the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) boundaries but wish to enroll their child in an SAUSD school other than their assigned neighborhood school of residence.

• What is the process? Submit a School of Choice Transfer application during the window, January of the preceding school year. This is a direct application to the district, subject to space availability and a priority/lottery system.

SAUSD Policy 5116.1 and Regulation 5116.1.

Interdistrict Attendance Permit (For Non-Residents)

• Who is this for? Families who live outside the SAUSD boundaries but wish to enroll their child into an SAUSD school.

• What is the process? This is a two-step process:

  1. You must first request and receive approval from your home school district (district of residence) to be "released."

  2. Your home district will then forward the approved permit to SAUSD for our district to either approve or deny.

  3. Submit a School of Choice Transfer application during the window, January of the preceding school year. This is a direct application to the district, subject to space availability and a priority/lottery system.

  4. Reapplication: Once your student is admitted on an interdistrict transfer, you need to reapply each year

SAUSD Policy 5117 and Regulation 5117.

Process for Requesting to Leave SAUSD (Interdistrict Transfer)

This process is for families who live within SAUSD boundaries but wish to enroll their child in a different school district.

1. Check District Timelines

   Before you begin, check the SAUSD website for the official application window. The district posts the date upon which it will begin accepting and processing transfer requests for the following school year.

2. Submit a SAUSD Interdistrict Transfer Permit

   You must formally submit an Interdistrict Transfer Permit. This is a request to be "released" from SAUSD (your district of residence). Your request should include the reasons for the transfer and any required documents.

3. District Review

   The Superintendent or designee will review your request. Per district policy, the approval or denial of your request is subject to the terms of any existing agreements SAUSD has with the other district.

4. Receive a Decision from SAUSD

   SAUSD will review your request and notify you of its decision (approval or denial) to release your student.

   • If your request is approved by SAUSD: You are not finished. You must now take this approval to the new school district you wish to enter.

   • If your request is denied by SAUSD: You will be notified of the reason for the denial and the process for appealing the decision.

5. Apply for Acceptance at the New District

   An Interdistrict Transfer Permit is only valid when both districts approve it. After SAUSD approves your request to leave, you must apply to the new district and get their approval to enroll.

Reasons for Denial: Please be aware that SAUSD may limit the number of students transferring out of the district if it is determined that the transfers are negatively affecting the district's budget, desegregation plans, or racial and ethnic balance, or if the number of requests exceeds legal limits.

SAUSD Policy 5117 and Regulation 5117.