How easy is it to be able to transfer out of your home school in Charlotte? (elem, middle and high school) (buying a home, buying)

[hopefullysoonincharlotte]

Hi all,

We are planning on moving to Charlotte within the next year. As we start to look at homes, I am of course very concerned about schools. (We have a 2 year old, and hope to soon have another). There are some dreamy homes in Charlotte that I absolutely adore in our budget - but when I look up the schools their ratings seems to be horrible. Thinking ahead - wondering if its easy to get a transfer out of the home school to another school near by? Anyone have advice on this. I know I've got a few years here, but we are buying a home with the intention of not moving for a while and schools are very important to me.

Thanks in advance!

[MikeyKid]

Which county are you looking at? The answer will be similar regardless, but it helps frame of reference.

[GoPhils]

Originally Posted by hopefullysoonincharlotte

Hi all,

We are planning on moving to Charlotte within the next year. As we start to look at homes, I am of course very concerned about schools. (We have a 2 year old, and hope to soon have another). There are some dreamy homes in Charlotte that I absolutely adore in our budget - but when I look up the schools their ratings seems to be horrible. Thinking ahead - wondering if its easy to get a transfer out of the home school to another school near by? Anyone have advice on this. I know I've got a few years here, but we are buying a home with the intention of not moving for a while and schools are very important to me.

Thanks in advance!

I believe your only other options (in CMS at least) are magnet and charter schools, but most have lotteries to get in.

[MikeyKid]

Originally Posted by GoPhils

I believe your only other options (in CMS at least) are magnet and charter schools, but most have lotteries to get in.

CMS has no transfer request process at all? UCPS allows transfer requests, but they are only good for that school year. Have to re-apply every year.

[GoPhils]

Originally Posted by MikeyKid

CMS has no transfer request process at all? UCPS allows transfer requests, but they are only good for that school year. Have to re-apply every year.

According to their website they do have this - Request for Reassignment/Transfer

but can only be for:

1. Request to attend the student’s home school – placement is guaranteed
2. Child of CMS staff – placement is not guaranteed
3. Medical and/or health condition – requires completed CMS Medical Packet
4. Extreme hardship – requires written explanation (Hardships are circumstances that affect the family’s ability to support the educational success of the student)

Which to answer OP's question, is probably not easy to get.

I had thought if you were zoned to a Title I school you were able to choose to go elsewhere but doing some searching it looks like CMS may not do that anymore.

[DawnW]

If you want to go from a school with lower ratings to a higher rated school, your chances are pretty much nil. There is a reason homes are lower priced in the areas you are looking.

Find the school you really want and find a home in that area. In fact, with redistricting going on continually, find a home as close to the home school (high school) as possible to assure that your child won't be redistricted by the time he/she reaches high school.

[momtothree]

Is there a reason you won't consider private schools? That's what most people do, they buy cheaper but nicer homes and send their kids to private.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by hopefullysoonincharlotte

Hi all,

We are planning on moving to Charlotte within the next year. As we start to look at homes, I am of course very concerned about schools. (We have a 2 year old, and hope to soon have another). There are some dreamy homes in Charlotte that I absolutely adore in our budget - but when I look up the schools their ratings seems to be horrible. Thinking ahead - wondering if its easy to get a transfer out of the home school to another school near by? Anyone have advice on this. I know I've got a few years here, but we are buying a home with the intention of not moving for a while and schools are very important to me.

Thanks in advance!

Where is the job located & what is your housing budget? Someone might be able to give you s better option than where you're looking.

[LLN]

I don't teach in CMS (THANK GOD) but our district has all but cut out transfers within the district. Caused a year or two or great public outcry and turmoil. I would NOT count on your child going to a school out of home district. I think No is the new norm.

Having said that, parental involvement is the key to education. Most schools in CMS do a fine job of educating given parental support. Unless you were looking at living in a district with very high poverty (generally the "worst" rated schools), and that does not sound logical given your apparent love of the homes, your child will do ok in pretty much any reasonable school.

Both my daughters went to CMS, one for 10 years, one for 8 before we moved. Both got in their first choice of college and one was a national award winner. Both received scholarships.

I doubt the schools they went to in Charlotte were very highly rated overall. I never even looked.

Good Luck.

[jacon4]

If you want to go from a school with lower ratings to a higher rated school, your chances are pretty much nil.

That's depressing. My son is considering relocating to the Charlotte area but has 2 school age kids so the school situation is a very big deal to his family.