Choice Transfer & Admission applications are now available through January 31st

This application period includes the following schools/programs ONLY:

• Central Elementary: Engineered for Excellence
• Efland-Cheeks Global Elementary
• Hillsborough Elementary (Year-Round Calendar)
• IB Program at Cedar Ridge HS

If this is your first time applying, please create your Parent Portal account at http://enroll.orangecountyfirst.com/ for all of your student transfer needs.  NOTE: You will need to create an account before applying for a Choice School, Discretionary Transfer, Discretionary Admission, or Release Application.

For students domiciled within the OCS District: Complete a Choice Schools Transfer Application 

For students domiciled outside of the OCS District: Complete a Discretionary Admission Application for a Choice School/Program

Discretionary Transfer and Admission applications will be available February 1st - 28th

This application is for students who:

• are assigned to a school within the Orange County Schools
• wish to enroll in a school other than the above four Choice school/program options deemed "Open" to transfers (see options here)

Complete a Discretionary Transfer Application -  COMING SOON: Applications for the 2021-2022 school year

Do not complete this application if you reside outside of an area served by the Orange County Schools. Individuals living outside of the Orange County Schools zone must request and submit a Discretionary Admissions Application.  

*Discretionary Transfer Application Notice: Students currently living in the Orange County Schools attendance zone will not be charged tuition.  Tuition is only charged for students domiciled outside of the district.  If you are living out of district please read below.

Out of District Students 

(For Out-of-District Families) Discretionary Admission* Application: This application is for families living outside the attendance zone for the Orange County Schools.  Out-of-district families seeking admission into the Orange County Schools must apply for Discretionary Admission on an annual basis.  To apply for Discretionary Admission to one of our Choice Schools, the online application for those families living in another school district’s area can be found here and must be submitted with all supporting documents between January 1-31, 2021.  For those seeking admission to one of our general "open" schools, submit application and all required documents between February 1-28, 2021.  Students previously admitted may apply for admission for the 2020-2021 school year for any school available for transfer.  New applications for students not previously admitted may only be submitted to a school that has been declared “open” to transfers under Policy 4125.3.B.2 or the superintendent or designee has determined that it is in the best interest of the student and the school system as a whole to allow the student to be assigned to a school defined as “limited capacity” under Policy 4125.3.B.2.  

Complete an Out-of-District (Discretionary Admission) Application 

NOTE: Applicants not currently enrolled in the Orange County Schools must demonstrate a specific, extraordinary, and compelling need or hardship that can only be served by the Orange County Schools.  They must also submit required documentation (letter of good academic standing, copy of the academic transcript, and copy of student discipline record).  The tuition rate per student for the 2021-2022 school year is $4,367.

See the additional documents required for first - time admission on the Discretionary Admission Application.  

*Discretionary Admission Tuition Notice: Students admitted into the Orange County Schools that are living in an attendance zone for another school district will be charged tuition unless the student meets an exemption qualification listed in Policy 4120: Admission To The Orange County Schools. The tuition rate per student for the 2021-2022 school year is $4,367 and must be paid in full prior to July 1, 2021.

If you are requesting a release from Orange County Schools:

This application is for families that are domiciled within the areas served by the Orange County Schools who would like to enroll in another school district.   This is not for students who move to another district. Letters of Release for the 2021-2022 school year will be processed after March 1, 2021.  Letters of Release will be sent to families via email and the Smart Choice account.

Complete a Release Request Application

For more information, please contact your child's school or:

Michelle Dodson, Student Assignment Specialist
Student Assignment Office
919-732-8126 ext: 12512
Email: michelle.dodson@orange.k12.nc.us