An interdistrict transfer/reciprocal agreement is when parents/guardians wish to register/admit/enroll their student(s) at a school (in another school district) other than the designated school within their district of residence. California Education Code sections 46600–46610 permits parents/guardians to request an interdistrict transfer/reciprocal agreement. The fundamental basis for this provision is the signing of an agreement between districts. Interdistrict transfer/reciprocal agreement must be approved by both the student’s original district of residence and the district to which the student seeks to transfer to. Both districts must approve the agreement before it becomes valid. It is within the authority of either the home district or the receiving district to revoke an interdistrict transfer/reciprocal agreement at any time for any reason the local board or district superintendent deems appropriate. If a request for an interdistrict transfer/reciprocal agreement is denied, the student’s parents/guardians may file an appeal to the District Office (that denied the request) within 10 calendar days of receipt of the notice of denial. If the appeal at the District Level for an interdistrict transfer/reciprocal agreement is denied, the student’s parents/guardians may file an appeal to the county office of education (of the district that denied the request) within 30 days of receipt of the official notice of denial of the transfer. A parent/guardian's failure to meet any of the established timelines is deemed an abandonment of the request.

Accepting Interdistrict Transfer Agreements is a year-to-year decision and can change from one year to the next. There are limited openings in all of our award-winning schools. Los Alamitos Unified School District will begin processing Interdistrict Transfer Agreements for the 2024-25 school year on February 26, 2024. All permit agreements must be received by the District office and are date stamped when received. Permit agreements will not be date stamped prior to February 26, 2024.  The District will either approve or deny the permit request 30 calendar days after receipt for the current school year.  With regard to permit requests for future school year, the District will make a final decision as soon as possible, but no later than 14 days after the first day of school.  If the interdistrict permit request is denied, the District will provide the requesting party a written notice of the District's decision.

Students who attend Los Alamitos Unified School District schools on an interdistrict permit agreement must maintain satisfactory scholarship, attendance and citizenship while enrolled. Failure to maintain satisfactory scholarship, attendance and/or citizenship will result in the permit agreement being revoked.  

The District performs an annual review of all interdistrict permits to ensure all student information is current and correct.  Changes in a student's educational services may require the student to reapply for a new interdistrict permit through their home school district. 

The District makes every effort to maintain a student's enrollment at their assigned school, however, this is reviewed on a yearly basis. If enrollment, including enrollment in Special Programs, is impacted at a particular school site, a student on an interdistrict permit may be reassigned to a new school within the District where enrollment is not impacted for the following school year. The District maintains sole discretion regarding school assignments for students attending on interdistrict permits.

ALL INTERDISTRICT PERMITS ARE REVIEWED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND MAY BE DENIED, NON-RENEWED OR CANCELLED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR BASED ON THE FOLLOWING ELEVEN CRITERIA

1. Student fails to attend school the first day of the school year, fails to continue enrollment in a District-offered special program or course of study, or enrolls in any non-District school.
2. Student does not maintain a satisfactory record of scholarship, citizenship and/or attendance.
3. Family uses false, misleading or deliberate omission of information as a basis for securing or renewing a permit, fails to update information when address or circumstances change, or fails to follow school rules and policies.
4. Student is requesting a new permit for 11th or 12th grade.
5. Space at the student’s grade level is not available (as determined by the principal) and/or would exceed the pupil-class average established by the district.
6. The transfer would negatively impact on the desegregation plan of this district or of the district of residence.
7. Student is suspended for any violation of Ed. Code 48900 through 48900.7 whereby, an immediate interdistrict transfer revocation may occur.*
8. Immediate interdistrict revocation may occur for other discipline problems if, in the opinion of the site administrative team, the student’s disciplinary problem warrants revocation.
9. In the opinion of the Superintendent/designee, the permit is not renewed in the best interests of the students of the District
10. The transfer of the student would require the District to create a new program or provide a new service to serve that student.
11. The programs for which the student qualifies are impacted.

The District is not able to provide the status of a pending application. Notification will be made via email and/or phone call once a decision has been made, typically in mid-May to early June. For questions OTHER than the status of an application, please email Lisa Wallace at LWallace@losal.org or call Lisa Wallace at (562) 799-4700 ext./ 80411.

Interdistrict Transfer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For specific information regarding Universal TK/Kindergarten Enrollment, Click Here

For specific information regarding Middle School Enrollment, Click Here

Board Policy 5117 - Interdistrict Attendance