2020-2021 Applications for Choice School Transfer, Discretionary Transfer, Discretionary Admission& Release from the Orange County Schools

Smart Choice

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.

If you live in an attendence area served by Orange County Schools 

Choice Schools Transfer Applications are only for the following: Central Elementary: Engineered for Excellence, Efland-Cheeks Global Elementary, Hillsborough Elementary (Year-Round), and the IB Program at Cedar Ridge High.

(For In-District Families) Discretionary Transfer* Application: This application is for individuals domicilied within a school assigned attendance zone for the Orange County Schools.  A separate application window will be open January 1-31, 2020 for Choice Schools ONLY.  The application window for requesting a school assignment transfer to all other schools deemed as "open" will be from February 1 - March 6, 2020.

Complete a Choice Schools Transfer Application - Applications for the 2020-2021 school year are now closed.

Complete a Discretionary Transfer Application -  Applications for the 2020-2021 school year are now closed.

This application is for requesting a Discretionary Transfer from a student’s assigned school to another school within the district. 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 living out of district.  If you are living out of district please read below.

If you live outside of an attendence area served by Orange County Schools 

(For Out-of-District Families) Discretionary Admission* Application: This application is for families are 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, 2020.  For those seeking admission to one of our general "open" schools, submit application and all required documents between February 1-March 6, 2020.  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 academic transcript, and copy of student discipline record).  The tuition amount for the 2020-2021 school year for Discretionary Admissions is $4,352.25  

See the additional documents required for 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 2020-2021 school year is  $4,352.25  and must be paid in full prior to July 1, 2020.

If you are requesting a release from Orange County Schools:

To request a release from the Orange County Schools for the 2019-2020 school year, submit the online Release Application.  This application is for families that are living within the areas served by the Orange County Schools that would like to be released from our school district to attend school in another school district.   Requests for the 2020-2021 school year must be received no later than July 1, 2020.  Letters of Release for the 2020-2021 school year will be processed after March 1, 2020.  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