Information & Instructions

• Application for Interdistrict Attendance Permit (Form 341)
• Solicitud de Permiso de Asistencia Interdistrital (Formulario 341)

Submit any questions and all documents via email at: transfers@carlsbadusd.net.

Authority for Transfers

In accordance with Sections 46600 to 46608 inclusive and 48204, of the California Education Code, the school districts of San Diego County may establish interdistrict agreements to provide for an exchange of pupils and allow pupils to enroll in school districts other than which they reside.

1. Approving the enrollment of pupils who reside outside a school district’s boundaries is not mandatory.
2. Approval of your application for an interdistrict attendance permit does not guarantee placement at a school you request. The district may approve your request for transfer and offer a placement at any school in the district with space for the student.
3. Falsification of any information provided on this application or during the enrollment process is cause for immediate denial or revocation of your Interdistrict Attendance Permit.

Transferring out of Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD)

For students who reside within the boundaries of CUSD and would like to attend school in another district:

1. Parent/Guardian obtains an Application for Interdistrict Attendance Permit (Form 341) from CUSD.
2. Parent/Guardian completes Form 341 and then submits it to CUSD Instructional Services Department for processing.
3. Applications are processed on a case-by-case basis.

Transferring in to Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD)

For students who reside outside the boundaries of CUSD and would like to attend school in CUSD:

1. Parent/Guardian obtains an Application for Interdistrict Attendance Permit (Form 341) from their District of Residence. 
2. If the District of Residence approves the Interdistrict Transfer, it will be sent to CUSD Instructional Services Department for consideration and processing.

CUSD will begin accepting and processing Interdistrict Transfer requests for the 2024-2025 school year on January 8, 2024. Failure of the parent/guardian to meet any timelines established by this website, Board Policy, and/or Administrative Regulation is deemed to be an abandonment of the request.

Interdistrict Transfer requests for the current school year are accepted throughout that school year.

CUSD adheres to CUSD Board Policy BP 5117 Interdistrict Attendance, and CUSD Administrative Regulation AR 5117 Interdistrict Attendance, with regard to approvals and denials of Interdistrict Transfer requests. 

The district shall ensure any pupils admitted are selected through an unbiased process that prohibits an inquiry into or evaluation or consideration of whether or not a student should be enrolled based on academic or athletic performance, physical condition, proficiency in English, family income, or any of the individual characteristics set forth in Education Code 220, including, but not limited to, race or ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and immigration status.  (Education Code 46600)

Priority for consideration of an interdistrict attendance shall be given to a student who has been determined, through an investigation by either the district of residence or district of proposed enrollment, to be a victim of an act of bullying, as defined in Education Code 48900(r), committed by a student of the district of residence.  (Education Code 46600)

In addition, the Superintendent or designee may approve an interdistrict attendance permit for a student for any of the following reasons when stipulated in the agreement:

1. To allow "regular status" employees, who reside outside the District boundaries, the opportunity to enroll their students in a Carlsbad Unified School District school pursuant to Education Code section 48204 (b)  
2. When the student has a sibling attending school in the receiving district, to avoid splitting the family's attendance
3. To allow a high school senior to attend the same school attended as a junior, even if the student's family moved out of the district during the junior year  
4. When the parent/guardian provides written evidence that the family will be moving into the district in the immediate future and would like the student to start the school year in the district 
5. When recommended by the school attendance review board or by county child welfare, probation, or social service agency staff in documented cases of serious home or community problems which make it inadvisable for the student to attend the school of residence  

The Superintendent or designee may deny initial requests for interdistrict attendance permits due to limited district resources, overcrowding of school facilities at the relevant grade level, or other considerations that are not arbitrary.  However, once a student is admitted, the district shall not deny continued attendance because of overcrowded facilities at the relevant grade level. 

Timeframe for District Response

1. The districts involved will notify the parent/guardian by mail, or in some instances, email, of their decision within timeframes specified herein.
2. Education Code 46601 provides the following timeframes for notification:
   
   a. For requests submitted during the regular school year, districts shall respond within 30 Days of submitting the request.
   b. 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 of the start of the subsequent school year.
    
3. 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 requirements.

Appeals of Denials

The person having legal custody of the student may appeal, within 30 calendar days of a school district’s failure or refusal to issue a permit, to the county board of education having jurisdiction over the district of residence of the parent, legal guardian or person having legal custody. Failure to appeal within the required time is good cause for denial of an appeal. An appeal shall be accepted only upon verification by the county board’s designee that all appeals within the districts have been exhausted. The appeal process for Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD) is outlined in the next paragraph. For information on appeals to the San Diego County Board of Education, contact the San Diego County Office of Education, Department of Student Services at (858) 292-3786. The San Diego County Office of Education, Department of Student Services, can also share the manner in which parents/guardians will be notified of appeal decisions.

The parent/guardian of a student who is denied an Interdistrict Attendance Permit will receive written notification from CUSD (see Timeframe for District Response above). The parent/guardian may appeal that decision within 30 days of receiving the denial. To appeal, the parent/guardian must submit a written letter to the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction with a full explanation of the basis for the appeal. The Assistant Superintendent’s Office will then contact the parent/guardian regarding their appeal. If the appeal is denied, the parent/guardian will be referred to the San Diego County Board of Education’s appeal process, outlined in the previous paragraph.

Approvals

1. A permit for interdistrict attendance is valid only while conditions stated on the permit are maintained, and 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.
2. Should the student’s residence change from one district to another, you will need to apply to your new district of residence to remain in the district of desired attendance.
3. Transfers for grades 9 - 12 may result in 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 should have any questions regarding eligibility, the phone number for CIF-SDS is (619) 292-8165.
4. A student’s existing permit may not be rescinded after June 30th following the completion of grade 10, for pupils in grade 11 or 12.