Berkeley Parents Network: Intradistrict Transfer in West Contra Costa County

Berkeley Parents Network

Intradistrict Transfer in West Contra Costa County

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > West Contra Costa County School District > Intradistrict Transfer in West Contra Costa County

Transferring from Richmond High School

September 2006

------------------------------------------- We jsut moved here from the midwest. I did not know that I could not put my kids in a school close to my work and I rented a house in East Bay area and the closest school for my two teenage daughters would be Richmond HS. I have heard so many horror stories about this place and everyone we have talked to says do whatever it takes to put them in a different shcool (even the other neighborhood kids that should attend there tell us that!) We visited there a couple of weeks ago and it was horrid! I wanted to put them in John Swett HS in Crockett, as it is on my way to and from work. This school has good reviews and I think my kids would be happy there. We made a visit there had a terrific experience and we all felt good about it after. This school would have no problem letting them in ... the problem is Richmond releasing them ... I read the interdistrict transfer policy and it says it can take up to 6 MONTHS!!!! My kids are terrified to attend Richmond and I don't blame them ... it really is like a bleak prison setting and it is so miserable there. Richmond HS also does NOT offer the accademic courses that my daughters have been taking and want to continue with ... Physics, Calculus, Latin and Journalism ... I read the policy and it does state that this qualifies for ID transfer ... and I am trying to get my families estate settled so that I can purchase a home in Crockett ... but that may take a year or so and I do not have the energy or money to keep moving. I also have not found a house for rent in Crockett. I certainly do not want to keep uprooting the kids in the meantime ... How can I expidite this? There has to be a better way to go about this!

Try Middle College High School, another WCCUSD public school to which all WCCUSD high school students can apply. Here is the link: http://www.contracosta.cc.ca.us/mchs/Application%202006%20-2007.doc
-- a mom

Transferring to a different school within the district

December 2000

Does anyone have the scoop on intradistrict transfers in West Contra Costa County? My stepson is supposed to attend either Kennedy or Richmond High next year (where his mom lives & he is 60% of the time). His father & I would prefer that he attend Alhambra HS in Martinez (where we live). There have been several incidents that have occurred near his mom's house that have caused us great concern. He was severely beaten a few months for his $350 bicycle and has been mugged twice in the last 2 years -- once a few weeks ago for his $450 large gold necklace w/cross.

The former wife thinks this is "okay" because "it doesn't happen all the time." We, of course, think it is NOT okay. Unfortunately, the 13 year old son prefers to stay with his mom because she has far fewer rules and he has basically no boundaries or responsibilities with her. Thus a family court battle is not an option -- it would be very expensive & hard to win since he would defnitely side with his mom. The former wife has told my husband that the principal of the middle school has guaranteed that the boy will get to go to El Cerrito HS. I find that very hard to believe since I thought the standard for intradistrict transfers was the requirement to go to the district office and fill out the appropriate forms at an appropriate time. The mom has a history of not being truthful so we're a skeptical of her story. However, we're just trying to gather all the information we can so we can be as prepared as possible.

Our son is attending El Cerrito High School this year. He went to a private school and we were naive about both the transfer process, and his chances of getting into St. Mary's. Don't leave anything to chance. I believe the transfers are due by February. Get the forms as soon as possible from 2600 Moraga Avenue, Room #20, San Pablo 94806. The telephone is 510-307-5323. We didn't get the transfer form in until March and our son was placed 128th on the waiting list. It helps to have a sibling or strong reason to want the transfer (your son needs Japanese, for instance). Athletics are not accepted as a reason. I have no idea if middle school principals have any pull. But make sure you go through all the officially dictated procedures. We ended up renting a house to get our son in the school, and even that wasn't a sure thing. We didn't find out he was in until the Friday before school started. There are lots of kids at El Cerrito from the Kennedy/Richmond High area. N.

Concerning your step son's transfer to El Cerrito High, the WCCUSD usually does grant transfers after any violence has occurred to a child. Or so I have heard. I believe if the parent states that the child is afraid of lack of safety, and has an experience or two to back up that fear, that the transfer is not a problem. Another way to get a transfer is to choose a class that ECHS has that the other schools do not, that way you have a curriculum reason to transfer. The time period to put in for a transfer hasn't even come up yet, usually it is February or March. Sandy

I couldn't find a lot on the district web site about this but there is a phone number for the transfer office: (510) 307-5323. I would recommend asking them for a written copy of the transfer policy. Also, I don't know if it is in the policy but it may be that they would take into account the violent incidents; I would certainly ask about it. If they had happened on the campus he was trying to transfer out of it would be a clearer cut case. Finally, you might want to contact the principal at his current school who is saying that he/she can get him into El Cerrito High for more information. Anonymous

I had to work for weeks, phoning and visiting district offices, attempting to get my son transferred into Kennedy from out-of-district. The only way it finally happened is when the Principal of Kenney personally sent a fax to the West Contra Costa County district transfer office, telling them that yes, it was ok to transfer my son in. Main problem was the district transfer office; staff where unresponsive, unreliable, unknowledgeable and unwilling to help and/or do their job. It was a very discouraging experience. Sorry I couldn't tell you something better, but this was my reality. C.

The opinions and statements expressed on this website are those of parents who subscribe to the Berkeley Parents Network. Please see Disclaimer & Usage for information about using content on this website.