Student Transfers

• ​What is my “designated” school?

• The designated school is the school your child is eligible to attend as a result of where you live and the location of the educational program in which your child is enrolled.

• If I want my child to attend another school, how do I apply for a transfer?

• A parent/guardian or a student who is 18 years of age or older may apply for a cross boundary transfer for a student to attend a school other than the designated school. In order to apply for a transfer, your child must be registered at their designated school in the OCDSB.

  You can request a transfer by completing the Elementary Transfer Request Form or Secondary Transfer Request Form.

• ​What are the criteria for student transfers?

• Every application will be reviewed on an individual basis using a criteria-based approval process.

  All student transfer applications are considered based on the following criteria:
  

  Elementary Students:

  • particular learning needs of or requirements placed on the student; and/or
  • exceptional personal circumstances.

  Secondary Students:

  • particular learning needs of or requirements placed on the students; and/or
  • exceptional personal circumstances; and/or
  • access to a course package that is not available at the student’s designated school. Please note: This includes transfer requests at the Grade 9 level in order to access a course package that does not commence until grade 10 in the receiving school.
• ​What is a “particular learning need”?

• We understand that the learning needs of every child are unique. In most circumstances, the learning needs of students can be met in any of our schools. The transfer policy is designed to provide an opportunity for those students whose learning needs could be better met in a different learning environment.

• ​What is a student transfer cap?

• The student transfer cap is the maximum number of student transfers that a school is authorized to accept. Each school has a limitation which is set on an annual basis.

• ​My child is currently at a school on a transfer. Their sibling is entering Grade 9. Will their sibling automatically be eligible to attend the same school?

• No. Siblings have to apply for a transfer and provide the academic or personal reasons for the transfer.

Proposed Changes

• ​How will the proposed revisions affect me as a parent?

• You will no longer be able to appeal a decision made by a Superintendent of Instruction to deny your school transfer request to a panel of trustees. Your last resort to appeal the decision made by the principal is the Superintendent of Instruction. We encourage you to bring all relevant information to our attention at the earliest opportunity to help us make the right decision early on.

• ​Does this mean I will no longer be able to appeal a decision made by the receiving school principal to deny my transfer request?

• No. You will still be able to appeal this decision to the Superintendent of Instruction (SOI) of your school. Please consult this page for a list of SOIs at the OCDSB.

• ​How will the proposed revisions affect the transfer appeal timelines?

• The proposed revisions will not affect the transfer appeal timelines. This year, the elementary and secondary student transfer application period is Monday, January 29 to Friday, February 9, 2024.