Transferring to/from the Oakland School District
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Transferring to/from the Oakland School District
Nov 2012
We started kindergarten 43 days ago. My son has been
punched in the face, stomped on and the latest incident
was an older kid spitting in his face in a bathroom during
recess. He just turned 5, is social and sweet-tempered.
I'd like him to stay that way.
We are at a bilingual school and I love the teachers but
his safety comes first.
What is the process for transferring to another
kindergarten. I don't see anything on the website.
Had Enough
I do not know what the transfer process is, but I do know that our school, Sequoia
Elementary, has availability. This is our first year (kindergarten) and we are
incredibly happy there, and so is our daughter. It is a great school, with a wonderful
community, and most importantly, this violence is just not happening there. I am SO
sorry that is happening with your son. I hope you find a safe place for him soon.
Happy Sequoia Parent
I am so sorry to hear about your son's terrible experience. The student assignment
center info is: office at 273-1600 or email enroll@ousd.k12.ca.us. Have you spoken with
the school's principal? In situations like these the teachers don't have the weight a
principal has, and they need to know this is going on. Telling the principal you want to
transfer can actually grease the wheels with the assignment center, if the principal is
any good he/she will do their best to rectify the situation however it plays out. Every
person I dealt with at OUSD admissions was nice and helpful but they are busy. Also, if
you have friends with kids in other schools they can ask if there are openings there,
helps to know that in advance. Hope this works out for you and your son.
OUSD mom
Hello,
Please let me start by saying that unfortunately I can relate to your experience.
I wish we had transferred our son into Archway School last year. He is there now (1st
grade). We ''stuck it out'' because we thought it was the right thing to do. In
hindsight, I wish we had cut and run. The children at Archway are happy and kind. The
difference between the level of kindness there verses his old public school is
unparalleled. The teachers really do care and because it's a small time can take time
to commit to the kids. Which includes teaching all kids to treat people with respect.
Bullying is NOT tolerated at ALL there.
This is the first time I've left my son and didn't feel anxiety over it. I am forever
grateful for Archway.
Regardless of your desisiom, trust that you will make the right one. You are a great
mom, by writing this and reaching out anyone could see that :) xo
Emily
We experienced ''kinder violence'' at one of the most expensive private schools in
the Bay Area. There is no excuse for this, I know that you are right to move on as
fast as you can. We have had an absolutely excellent experience at Berkeley Arts
Magnet Elementary School, and from what I hear from other parents, bullying in BUSD
is taken very seriously, so I recommend trying to transfer into BUSD. I'm so sorry
that your baby has had to deal with this, it will get better.
Run, fast
March 2004
Can anyone give recent feedback on the process of getting
permission for an interdistrict transfer from Oakland to
Berkeley public schools for Kindergarten (and beyond)?
I read what is on the website but it is a few years old and some
of the posts are conflicting. My oldest will be starting school
in 2005 but we are looking at housing options now and wondering
if the changes going on with OUSD will affect our ability to get
permission to leave OUSD and how possible it is to get into the
Berkeley system, should that end up being our best choice. Does
anyone have recent experience or informed predictions?
I'm also curious if the changes at OUSD will reduce the ability
to transfer within OUSD to Peralta - the closure of other nearby
elementaries may mean Peralta is going to be more crowded?
I realize this is probably a gamble, but I'd like to at least
know my odds!
I have a special needs child who went to OUSD from 2001-2003 -
I was very happy with services offered through OUSD during that
time. In 2003 I had very specific reasons why an interdistrict
transfer would be necessary for my child. I was aware that in
the past these were approved if the reasons were compelling.
We went through the proper channels requesting the transfer and
had doctors, teachers, etc. stating the transfer would be in
the child's best interest. After numerous phone calls, letters
and threating a lawsuit we received no response other than the
same form letter that they are reviewing our request. (In the
past response from the OUSD was immediate.) We began legal
proceedings but decided that moving would be in our child's
best interest. We were able to move into a new community one
week before the start of the new school year. It was a
stressful time but we definately made the right decision.
Granted, our issues occured during the district shake-up, you
may have more luck. Good luck.
Sandy
I'm not sure how difficult it is to transfer systems and am not
sure where you are located in Oakland.
The Hillcrest School in Upper Rockridge is rated as one of the
top elementary/middle schools in the district and is the only
school in the district that rates similarly on a test score
basis as Piedmont and Orinda schools. Over 60% of students'
parents have masters degrees or higher level of education and
there is a significant amount of private funding for the
school. As a result the cuts in the Oakland school district
have no effect on Hillcrest. The music, language, arts, and
extra programs are all privately funded by local residents. I
believe the schools raised over $500,000 this past year.
Anyway you have to be a resident of Upper Rockridge to get into
this school but if you are it is definitely an excellent
program.
Upper Rockridge Resident
I can't advise regarding inter-district transfers out of Oakland
Unified School District, however, I do have some information
regarding intra-district transfers from your neighborhood school
to another school within the district.
During this past open enrollment for intra-district transfers, I
found out that priority for granting requests for projected
available space at schools within the district is given in the
following order:
1. First priority is given to students requesting transfers
from schools that have ''underperformed.'' This is in compliance
with the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
2. Second priority is given to siblings of students already
enrolled at the requested school.
3. Third priority is given to those children needing after-
school care, since not all district schools have after-school
programs.
4. If there is still space available at a requested school,
then a traditional lottery is held.
I was advised that due to the No Child Left Behind Act, intra-
district transfers are highly unlikely due to the enormous
number of requests from parents with children attending these
underperforming schools. That is not to say it is impossible,
just highly unlikely. I was advised that the best alternative
for having my child attend our school of choice would be to move
into that neighborhood. Hope this helps, and good luck with
your housing decision.
Charlotte
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