NOTE: Please read the conditions of transfer prior to completing your zone exemption application. 

We are no longer accepting zone exemption requests for the 2024-2025 school year. 

For school choice for the 2025-2026 school year, please apply for House Bill 251 which can be found at www.rcboe.org/hb251. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2025. There will be an additional application period for school choice from July 1, 2025, through August 16, 2025. 

Conditions of Transfer Request

A. Students requesting a transfer from one attendance zone to another within the Richmond County school district may apply for the transfer through the Superintendent's office (or designee). The response will be to the e-mail provided on the application within 7-10 business days of receipt of the application. 

B. Any school that is above 90% of their enrollment capacity is not eligible for consideration for students who are out of zone. In addition, any newly opened school is not eligible for school choice for a period of four years. 

C. Acceptable behavior, arriving and being picked up in accordance with the school's time schedule, and attendance are required in order for exceptions to remain valid. 

D. Transfers may be approved for extreme hardships ((Medical, Financial, and Bullying (with Bullying Packet) - (please attach documentation with completed application)) pending space availability. If space becomes an issue, students with zone exceptions must return to their zoned school. 

E. Transfers are not considered for the following: 

• Grievances arising from parent-school conflicts
• Peer group associations
• Discipline and/or attendance problems
• General dissatisfaction with a particular school

F. ALL Attendance Zones for students attending the public schools of Richmond County will be enforced in accordance with federal desegregation requirements (Policy JBCC).

G. Unless otherwise approved, transfers will only be approved to the nearest school. 

H. Bus transportation is not furnished to transfer students. 

I. The principal has the discretion to withdraw any student not meeting the above conditions. 

J. School choice without hardships is available each year through House Bill 251. The application period for House Bill 251 is open annually from November 1 through May 1.