FAQs on Residency and Transfer Requests

• For the 2026-2027 school year, we will accept transfer requests beginning February 1, 2026, at 8 a.m. 
• If your student is new to PUSD and you would like an Intradistrict Transfer to another school, please submit a transfer request during the open window.
• Complete online enrollment for your student at your school of residence starting February 2, 2026.
• Decisions on transfers will not be made until students are enrolled at their school of residence.
• New PUSD students: if your student is on an Individual Education Program (IEP), we will need a signed copy of their current IEP emailed to our office at [email protected].

Yes, while waiting for your Intradistrict Transfer request decision, you must enroll at your school of residence.   

• For continuing students, please complete Online Continuing Registration (OLR) for your child and choose your School of Residence, pending a decision on your Intradistrict transfer request.

• ​​Students currently enrolled in PUSD who are moving from elementary to middle or middle to high school must select classes at their school of residence pending the results of the transfer request. 

• Those students going into middle or high school will need to complete the course selection requests for their school of residence. If your transfer request is approved, you will need to contact the approved school to complete a new course selection request for the approved school. 

• Those students who want to try out for clubs, band, cheerleading, dance, or other teams may do so at their school of residence pending the results of the transfer request.

No, the parent must apply for a transfer for the student to attend any school other than the school of residence during the transfer window beginning February 1, 2026. Transfers will be considered based on space availability, PUSD Board policy, and related procedures. 

Transportation is not available to students on an approved transfer.

The procedure for requesting an Interdistrict Attendance Permit per PUSD Board Policy 5117 and Administrative Regulation 5117 is as follows:

1. Parent obtains application for Interdistrict Attendance Permit (SDCOE for 341).Click here for the Interdistrict Attendance Permit  | Spanish
2. Complete all sections of Part A of the Interdistrict Attendance Permit (SDCOE Form 341) and fill in the reason for request in the space provided. Sign the request.
3. Obtain signature release approval from the authorized school district administrator of the district of residence.
4. Email the signed document to [email protected]. If you cannot scan and email the signed document, please mail the original signed request form to Poway Unified School District, Attendance and Student Engagement, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128. New Interdistrict Attendance Permit requests into PUSD: if your student is on an Individual Education Program (IEP), we will need a hard copy of the current IEP attached to (or emailed with) the original Interdistrict Attendance Permit.
5. Parent/guardian will be notified by email or U.S. mail of the final decision of the Interdistrict Attendance Permit from the Attendance and Student Engagement Office.
6. The request will not be approved if the additional cost to educate the student exceeds the amount of state aid received as a result of the transfer.
7. Students moving from one school level to another (elementary to middle or middle to high school) will need to reapply for an Interdistrict Attendance Permit to continue to the next level.
8. Existing Interdistrict Attendance Permits shall not be rescinded for pupils after June 30 following the completion of grade 10, or for pupils in grade 11 or 12 [Education Code 46600]. School placement may change at the discretion of PUSD. 
9. The failure of a parent to meet any timelines established by the school district shall be deemed an abandonment of the request. [Ed Code 46600.2]
10. If an Interdistrict Attendance Permit is denied, a parent has the right to appeal, in writing, to the director of the Attendance and Student Engagement Office within 30 days of the denial. If that appeal is denied, a parent has 30 calendar days to appeal to the County Board of Education. 
11. Students found to be using fraudulent addresses or students who have moved outside the Poway Unified School District boundaries without submitting an Interdistrict Attendance Permit within 30 days of the change of residence will be disenrolled and their records sent to the school district of residence.

1. When child care needs of the student are met by a parent/guardian or relative living within the district of desired attendance. The parent/guardian must provide written evidence the transfer is needed to meet the childcare needs of the student. 
2. Health & Well-Being: The parent/guardian must provide written evidence
3. When special mental or physical health needs, as certified by a physician, school psychologist, or other appropriate school personnel, can be met in the district of desired attendance.
4. When the student has sibling(s) attending school in the district of desired attendance.
5. When the parents of a resident student move out of the district and the student has been in the district for more than a year.
6. When a student who currently has an Interdistrict Attendance Permit moves to the next level, i.e., grade 5 to 6 or grade 8 to 9 and wants to maintain educational continuity.
7. When the parent/guardian provides written evidence that the family is moving to the receiving district within the immediate future. Such permit should not be issued for more than three months.
8. When the parent/guardian of a student in grades K-12 is employed within the boundaries of the district of desired attendance.

Timeframe for District Response

• The districts involved will notify the parent/guardian by email or U.S. mail of the decision within the timeframes specified herein.
• Education Code 46601 provides the following timeframes for notification:
  • For requests submitted during the regular school year, districts shall respond within 30 days of submitting the request.
  • For requests submitted for admission in the subsequent school year up to 30 days prior to the start of the subsequent regular school year, districts shall respond within 14 calendar days after the start of the school year.
• While your application is pending, the pupil must attend school in the district of residence, a charter school, a private school, or other option complying with California compulsory education requirement.

Approvals

• An Interdistrict Attendance Permit is valid only while conditions stated on the permit are maintained. The permit may be revoked by the granting district for failure to comply with conditions (e.g. attendance, citizenship, scholarship). Permits may be issued to allow transfer to another district for a limited period of time.
• Should the student's home address change, the parent will need to reapply for an Interdistrict Attendance Permit to reflect the new address and submit to the district of residence.
• Should the student’s residence change from one district to another, the parent will need to apply to the new district of residence to remain in the district of desired attendance.
• Transfers for grades 9–12 may result in the student being ineligible to play CIF sports for a period of time. Eligibility determinations are subject to the rules of the San Diego Section of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF-SDS) and its member conferences and leagues. If you have any questions regarding eligibility, the phone number for CIF-SDS is 858-292-8165.

You can do so at any time. Fill out, print, and sign the Interdistrict Attendance Permit. Then email a copy to us at [email protected] so we can release your student. If you do not have email access, please mail the original: PUSD Attendance and Student Engagement Office, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA, 92128.

• An Interdistrict Attendance Permit is valid only while conditions stated on the permit are maintained. The permit may be revoked by the granting district for failure to comply with conditions (e.g. attendance, citizenship, scholarship).
• Should the student's home address change, the parent will need to reapply for an Interdistrict Attendance Permit to reflect the new address and submit to the district of residence.
• Should the student’s residence change from one district to another, the parent will need to apply to the new district of residence to remain in the district of desired attendance.
• When a student on a current Interdistrict Attendance Permit moves to the next level, i.e., grade 5 to 6 or grade 8 to 9, and wants to maintain educational continuity within the district of desired attendance, the parent will need to reapply for an Interdistrict Attendance Permit.

Transportation is not available to students on an approved transfer.