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In Leander ISD, we are committed to providing a high-quality education at every campus. We also recognize that, in some cases, families may prefer for their child to attend a school other than their zoned campus. 

To support family choice, Leander ISD offers a transfer request process to campuses/grade levels with space, available each spring semester. Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, a priority window for in-district transfer requests has been created to allow requests to be reviewed before campus staffing decisions are finalized, helping reduce unnecessary denials at campuses with space and provide families earlier clarity.

Also new for 2026–27, Leander ISD will allow students residing outside the district’s boundaries to apply for a transfer to any Leander ISD school with the capacity to accept them. This will come in the open transfer window this spring.

This page outlines transfer options for both in-district and out-of-district families, including eligibility, timelines and applications steps. We encourage families to review the information below carefully to determine whether an application is needed.

Student Transfer Administrative Guidelines

For transfer-related questions, please email [email protected]. If you have questions or concerns related to your child’s current campus, we encourage you to reach out to campus administration for support.

Transfer Application Timelines for the 2026-2027 School Year

The Priority Transfer Window gives in-district families early review before staffing numbers have been given to each school. The Open Transfer Window is available to all eligible students – include out-of-district families – and runs longer, with multiple decision dates.

Priority Transfer Window

Open Dates: Jan. 5-23, 2026

Decision Notification(s):
Week of March 2

Eligibility:

  • Current resident
  • Enrolled kindergarten through 11th grade students

Open Transfer Window

Open Dates: Feb. 2–May 29, 2026

Decision Notification(s):
Week of April 27 (apply by April 1);
Week of June 8 (apply by May 29)

Eligibility:

  • Any future or currently enrolled student
  • Resident or non-resident (in district or out of district)
  • Rising kindergarten through rising 12th grade student

For in-district families, applications will be submitted through the Home Access Center (HAC). Please review the HAC Student Transfer Application Instructions for support. If you do not have a HAC account or need login assistance, please visit the Home Access Center page.

For families not currently enrolled in Leander ISD — out-of-district families — additional information will be posted to share the application process before the Feb. 2 open transfer window.

ℹ️ What Does Good Standing Mean?
*Good standing is determined through a district and campus review of attendance, grades, and discipline.

Campuses Open to Transfer for 2026-2027

For the priority window, schools not listed as open exceed 90% of the facility’s functional capacity.

In-District Transfer Requests

Students with previously approved transfers who are remaining at the same campus do not need to reapply or pay an additional application fee. They will be automatically approved for the next school year, provided they are in good standing*. This does not apply to currently enrolled PreK 4 students who are not attending their zoned elementary school. Any PreK 4 student wanting to attend a school other than their zoned campus must apply for a transfer to the desired school and will be considered only if space is available.

If a previously approved transfer student is changing campuses — moving from 5th to 6th grade or 8th to 9th grade — they must submit a new application if their desired campus differs from their zoned campus.

For students wishing to return to their zoned campus, please contact your current campus registrar for assistance.

Transportation will not be provided for students on an approved transfer request.

Voluntary Parent-Choice Transfers

This type of transfer is for students who:

Students with previously approved transfers who are remaining at the same campus do not need to reapply or pay an additional application fee. They will be automatically approved for the next school year, provided they are in good standing*. 

If a previously approved transfer student is changing campuses — moving from 5th to 6th grade or 8th to 9th grade — they must submit a new application if their desired campus differs from their zoned campus.

For students wishing to return to their zoned campus, please contact your current campus registrar for assistance.

Please read the following information regarding voluntary parent-choice transfer:

  • Voluntary parent-choice transfer completed requests submitted within the appropriate transfer window will be evaluated based on eligibility criteria and then placed into a lottery. Awards will be randomly assigned. Please note that while a campus or grade level may be listed as open, approval is not guaranteed if space availability changes.
  • All voluntary parent-choice student transfer applications are assessed a $30 processing fee that must be paid before review of the transfer application.
    • Students participating in the federal free lunch program are not assessed a processing fee.
    • Students participating in the federal reduced-price lunch program are assessed a $10 processing fee.
  • The fee is non-refundable and does not ensure approval of the transfer request.
  • Students must be in good standing at their current campus to qualify for a Voluntary Parent-Choice Transfer.
  • If the transfer request is approved;
    • students must remain in good standing. If not in good standing, the approved transfer may be revoked, requiring the student to return to their zoned campus.
    • Voluntary Parent-Choice Transfers are NOT eligible for district-provided transportation.

Program Transfer Requests

This transfer option is available for students seeking to attend a school that offers a specific program not available at their zoned home campus. Program transfers require approval from both the appropriate department and the campus. Please refer to the list below for eligible programs and click the link for more details, including the application process for a program transfer.

  • Prekindergarten
    • Prekindergarten transfer requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. For currently enrolled PreK students who wish to transfer to another Early Childhood Community, please visit your current campus registrar for additional information.
    • Currently enrolled PreK 4-year-olds who will be eligible for Kindergarten next school year and wish to attend an elementary school outside their zoned campus, a voluntary parent-choice transfer option will be available in May.
  • Dual Language Enrichment (DLE) program
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Leander High School

Elementary School

Prekindergarten

PreK transfers are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to your campus registrar to apply for a transfer. Visit the Prekindergarten page for information on Early Childhood Communities.

Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade & 4th Grade

If on a voluntary parent-choice transfer approved from a previous school year and the student is in good standing, families will NOT need to reapply or pay another application fee. The student will be automatically approved for the next school year.

5th Grade

Students moving from 5th to 6th grade WILL need to apply for a transfer and pay the application fee if their desired campus is different from their zoned campus.

Middle School

6th Grade & 7th Grade

If on a voluntary parent-choice transfer approved from a previous school year and the student is in good standing, families will NOT need to reapply or pay another application fee. The student will be automatically approved for the next school year.

8th Grade

Students moving from 8th to 9th grade WILL need to apply and pay the application fee if their desired campus is different from their zoned campus. Athletic eligibility will be impacted if a student does not attend their zoned school.

High School

9th Grade, 10th Grade & 11th Grade

If on a voluntary parent-choice transfer approved from a previous school year and the student is in good standing, families will NOT need to reapply or pay another application fee. The student will be automatically approved for the  next school year.

Out-of-District Transfer Requests (New for 2026-27)

Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, Leander ISD is excited to offer a full application process for students who do not reside within the district’s attendance zone. This new process expands opportunities while ensuring decisions are made consistently and based on available capacity.

Please review the Leander ISD Student Transfer Administrative Guidelines for expectations, qualifications, and additional information concerning the transfer process. 

This type of transfer includes non-full-time employee students, service members/Peace Officers, grandparent transfers, and any other state-mandated eligible student. 

Students who are granted this type of must complete an application and be renewed each year. Approval in one year does not guarantee approval for subsequent years.

If the transfer is approved, students must remain in good standing, or the approved transfer may be revoked requiring the student to return to their zoned district.

ℹ️ Out-of-district transfers are not eligible for district-provided transportation.

Full-Time Employee Student Transfer Requests

For students of full-time employees, applications must be submitted during the annual transfer window unless the employee is newly hired or reassigned after the window closes.

Employees must be current full-time employees and in good standing at the time of the request. Good standing is defined as satisfactory performance evaluations, attendance, and compliance with expectations. The Human Resources Department may verify employee status and standing before approval of the transfer request.

Requests are approved based on campus capacity and workplace location. Requests outside the employee’s feeder pattern are not guaranteed and are subject to In-District transfer criteria.

If an employee separates from the district, the transfer remains valid through the end of that school year only if the student is in good standing and meets all other eligibility criteria. The student may reapply as an Out-of-District transfer if eligible.

Approved Employee transfer students may remain at their assigned campus for the full grade span while the employee remains employed, the student remains in good standing, and all other eligibility criteria and transfer agreement terms are met.

For information regarding admissions, student transfers, and transfer appeals, please refer to policies FD (LEGAL), FD (LOCAL), FDA (LEGAL), FDA (LOCAL), GF (LOCAL) in the Leander ISD Board Policy Manual.