Transfers

RUSD is a District of Choice (DOC)

• DOC transfers are available for any parent of a school age student who does not live within the geographical boundaries of RUSD and who is interested in having their child attend RUSD schools.
• The DOC transfer is only available during the Open Enrollment Transfer Window.
• Under DOC, parents are not required to be released from their district of residence in order to apply for a DOC transfer during the established application period.
• DOC is not School of Choice and no guarantees can be made to place the child at a particular school. 

• Parents must submit a District of Choice (DOC) online application for the 2026-2027 school year between November 1, 2025 and January 9, 2026.
• DOC applications are available online only. Paper applications will not be available.
• If parents do not have internet access, please visit the Pupil Services Department as there will be access to a kiosk in the lobby.
• Under a DOC transfer a student can remain within the RUSD schools until they graduate (with some exceptions).
• Students currently attending RUSD on a DOC transfer and are promoting to their next level (e.g. promoting from elementary to middle school or middle school to high school) do not need to reapply.  The RUSD Pupil Services Department will automatically assign them their next school and notify parents. 

Notifications for requests submitted during the Open Enrollment transfer window will be sent out by the Pupil Services Department no later than June 2026 via USPS mail.

If you have not received a letter by June 2026, please contact Pupil Services at 951-352-1200.

An Inter-District transfer is a transfer request from parents of students who reside outside of the RUSD boundary and would like for their child to attend RUSD.

• The student must first be released from their district of residence. Parents must contact their district of residence for more information.
• The approved Inter-district transfer release must be submitted to RUSD Pupil Services for review.
• RUSD will attempt to accommodate the parent’s request for a particular school, but the request is not guaranteed. Placement at schools is based on space availability, as determined by the district, not the school site.
• Inter–District Transfers are to the district, not a particular school.
• Inter-District transfers will be accepted throughout the year.
• Inter-district transfer permits are valid only for the school year approved; therefore, must be renewed on an annual basis.
• For additional assistance, please contact the Pupil Services Department at (951) 352-1200.

REGULATIONS AND POLICIES GOVERNING INTER-DISTRICT ATTENDANCE PERMITS

In accordance with Sections 46600 to 46609 of the Education Code, the school districts of Riverside County establish Inter-district agreements annually, which provide for the exchange of pupils. The enrollment of pupils from districts, other than that of residence is not mandatory. If there is sufficient room in the district, school, and program of desired attendance, requests will be considered, provided the reasons are justifiable and in accordance with district governing board policy.

Procedures and timelines for inter-district transfer permits:
Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) will begin accepting inter-district transfer requests for the 2026-2027 school year beginning November 1, 2025.

However, RUSD will continue to accept inter-district transfers throughout the school year bases on space availability.

Reasons for Approvals
Inter-district transfers are accepted to the District, not to a specific school. RUSD will attempt to accommodate parent’s request for a particular school, but the request is not guaranteed. Placement at schools is based on space availability as determined by the district, not the school site.
Important: Please be advised that inter-district transfers are valid for the school year granted and parent/legal guardian must reapply the following school year during the Open Enrollment Intra and Inter-District Transfer window. Failure by the Parent/Legal guardian to meet the timelines will constitute an abandonment of the request and student will need to attend their school in their district of residence.


Reasons for Denials
It is very important to keep the following in mind:
Continued enrollment on an inter-district transfer is contingent on positive attendance, discipline, grades, and space availability:

• Positive attendance (greater than 90% / less than 10 tardies)
• The parent or legal guardian shall arrange transportation and shall not be the responsibility of the receiving district.
• Positive behavior (no suspensions / few discipline referrals)
• Adequate academic progress
• Elementary students must meet grade level standards as determined by report card grades (K-2) and/or SBAC (grades 3-5), and make appropriate academic efforts.
• Secondary students must have satisfactory work habits and a 2.0 grade point average or higher with no failing grades.
• If the student is in a specialized program, student must maintain necessary requirements of the program or the student may need to return to his/her district of residence.
• Space availability at the school site and special education program needed.

Please be advised that if your inter-district transfer is approved and conditions are not maintained, the transfer request may be revoked and the student may be required to return to their district of residence.

Timelines for appeal
1. If you are denied an inter-district transfer into the Riverside Unified School District, you may file an appeal request. All appeals must be submitted in writing to the Pupil Services Department located at 5700Arlington Ave Riverside, CA 92504 and office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:30 pm, except legal holidays and school closure days.
2. The Appeal Request Form and any supplemental documentation must be submitted and date stamped within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of the denial letter.
3. The Pupil Services Director will review all appeals received within the timeline. Please keep in mind that the Director may request additional information.
4. The Director will notify you of the decision upon review of the appeal request and any supporting documentation.
5. If you do not appeal within the required timeframe, the student will be expected to attend a school in your district of residence.
6. If your appeal request is sustained, you will be mailed an approval letter to the school requested or to another school within the Riverside Unified School District boundaries.
7. If your appeal is denied, you then have the right to appeal to the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the appeal is denied. 

The RCOE inter-district transfer appeal information is available online at  https://www.rcoe.us/about-us/board-of-education  or if you are unable to access by internet share you may contact their office by email at RCBEAppeals@rcoe.us.

RUSD Board Policy: http://www.gamutonline.net/district/riversideusd/DisplayPolicy/1128992/

Dual Boundary Transfers are between King High School and Arlington High School.

• Student must reside within the Dual Boundary area – please contact Pupil Services or Transportation for information related to the Dual Boundary area.
• Parents must submit Dual Boundary transfer applications during the Open Enrollment Intra- and Inter-District Transfer period (see above), or upon moving into RUSD.

Tri Boundary Transfers are between Gage Middle School, Sierra Middle School, and Chemawa Middle School.

• Student must reside within the Tri-Boundary area – please contact Pupil Services or Transportation for information related to the Tri-Boundary area.
• Parents must submit a Tri-Boundary transfer application during the Open Enrollment Intra and Inter-District Transfer period or upon moving into RUSD.

For additional assistance regarding Dual and Tri-Boundary transfers please contact the Pupil Services Department at (951) 352-1200.