Bellingham Public Schools has 22 outstanding schools and a variety of special programs to meet the needs of our families and students. We are confident that our families, students and staff make strong connections and build meaningful community, regardless of which school they attend.
Factors we consider when making a decision about a transfer request include: a financial, educational, safety or health condition affecting the student; proximity to a parent’s place of work or childcare; whether a parent/guardian is a district employee; other special circumstances.
What should families be aware of when requesting a transfer?
- Requests are approved based on space and capacity in a school or program.
- Families are responsible for their own transportation for transferred students.
- Transfer requests are reevaluated every year, and placement is not guaranteed.
- Because we need to evaluate enrollment numbers prior to accepting new transfers, we may not be able to provide a response to a request until right before or even up to the fifth day of the start of the school year. (Transfer requests may be held for review in the fall.)
Timeline
Requests for both in-district (attendance area) and non-resident (out of district) transfers can be submitted beginning Feb. 15 for the following year.
Each school year, our priority window for transfer requests is Feb. 15 through March 1. Applications submitted during this priority time period will be notified of a decision by the end of March.
Transfer requests submitted after March 1 and those requesting kindergarten, sixth and ninth grade may not know acceptance status until mid-August or up to the fifth day of school. Our attendance forecasts are based on the expectation that students will enroll and attend their attendance area schools as entering kindergarten, sixth and ninth graders. This practice helps to keep the schools reasonably balanced and allows us to be able to staff the schools equitably and offer similar learning experiences. Therefore, transfers are typically not granted for incoming kindergarten, sixth or ninth grade students.
Attendance area transfers
If you reside within Bellingham Public Schools but would like to transfer to a different school within the school district, please fill out the electronic .
- If this is a new request, after you submit your transfer form, you can expect to have a conversation with the principal of your attendance area school before your request to transfer is considered for approval. If you need a paper form or help filling out the online form, please contact your attendance area school.
- If this is a renewal of an existing approved transfer, your requested school will process your request. If you need a paper form or help filling out the online form, please contact the school your child attends.
Whether you are submitting a new request or a renewal, these forms must be submitted each year. If you have a question about this form contact your school office. You can also refer to our ٰԲڱ FAQ.
Non-resident transfers
Pursuant to Policy 3141, any Washington State student who resides outside the boundaries of Bellingham Public Schools, may apply to attend school in Bellingham Public Schools. Non-resident acceptance into the district is for one academic year only. All non-resident students are inactive at the end of each academic year. Families must re-submit a transfer request form each year for continued enrollment in Bellingham Public Schools. Please follow the steps below to apply.
For students to transfer from their resident district into Bellingham Public Schools.
- Apply for release from your school district of residence through the . When you use this portal, your resident school district is notified of your transfer request.
- If you are unable to access the state’s online portal, please email Trista Moreno in the department of Teaching and Learning for assistance or call (360) 676-2787
- Collect required documents for your child(ren). Please note: your non-resident transfer request will be considered once all the required documents are submitted.
- Current attendance and discipline reports from the resident district for the school year
- Current report card or transcript from the resident district for the school year
- If a student is receiving special education services, current Individual Education Plan (IEP) and Special Education Addendum (SPA), if applicable.
New Request or Renewal? Indicate “New Request” if the student has not attended the requested school before. Indicate “Renewal” if the student has attended the requested school. For example, If a student has attended a Bellingham Public Schools elementary their entire student career but is requesting to attend a BPS middle school the transfer would be a new request.
For students to transfer out of Bellingham Public Schools into a different district. This could be an online school.
- Apply online via the . When you use this portal, your resident school district is notified of your transfer request.
- If you are unable to access the state’s online portal, please email Trista Moreno in the department of Teaching and Learning for assistance or call (360) 676-2787
- Submit any other required records to the desired district, following that district’s guidelines.
For students to enroll part-time with Bellingham Public Schools and part-time with another district.
- Apply online via the . When you use this portal, your resident school district is notified of your request.
- If you are unable to access the state’s online portal, please email Trista Moreno in the department of Teaching and Learning for assistance or call (360) 676-2787 or use 3140F-2 FTE Interdistrict Agreement and return by mail to: Bellingham Public Schools, 1306 Dupont St. Bellingham, WA 98225