Requests for School Transfer

  • middle school students discussing social studies Lawrence Public Schools assign students to schools based on the residential address of the legal guardian with whom the student resides. During the Annual and New Student registration in the spring, parents may submit a Transfer Request for consideration to a school outside of their boundary school for the following school year until April 30,2024. Requests will be evaluated and contingent on space available at the requested school. Families who reside outside the boundaries of Lawrence Public Schools and want to apply for a transfer for their child(ren) to attend USD 497 deadline is July 1st, 2024 (See Nonresident Enrollment.) 

    The deadline of April 30th, 2024 to request a transfer has now passed, except for:

    • Families who have had a change of address occurring after the deadline, and are requesting that their student continue at their current school

    If you meet the criteria above, email enrollment@usd497.org and we will email you the link to the form. 

    If you have a student who is currently attending LPS in person, but is interested in switching to Lawrence virtual School for the second quarter, please go to: Lawrence Virtual School select the appropriate Transfer Form Link. The deadline to request a transfer to LVS for the second quarter is October 10, 2024. Requests after that date will be for the Spring Semester. 

    Please Note: You will be required to upload a current Proof of Residence when completing the form (utility bill or lease agreement).  For students currently enrolled in our district but wanting to apply to attend LVS full-time, you may also use this form.   You may look up an address using this elementary boundary interactive map.   

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    School transfer decisions are based on such factors as available classroom spaces and code of conduct issues, which include attendance. Transfer requests may be communicated to each school’s administrative office before a final decision.  Decisions and notifications regarding transfers may not be made until after the August registration period is completed. On occasion, buildings may be closed to all incoming transfer requests from students outside the assigned attendance area.

    The approval of a transfer at one educational level does not set precedence for the next level.  A new transfer request must be submitted for each educational level (elementary, middle school, high school). Siblings of students attending a school on a transfer request are not guaranteed approval to attend the same school. They must apply separately and are subject to the same stipulations as all other transfer requests. The district does not provide transportation for students attending a school outside of their attendance area on a transfer. 
     
    Non-Resident students (at any grade level) who move or reside with their legal guardian at a residence outside the Lawrence USD 497 district boundaries (in another school district) who have applied and been approved, may be required to apply for admission each school year. Non-Resident students who are approved must be enrolled and attending prior to September 15 of any given year.