Open Enrollment Policies: State Profile

Open Enrollment Policies: State Profile - Georgia

Last updated: October 2017

Open-enrollment policies allow a student to transfer to a public school of his or her choice. There are two basic types of open-enrollment policies.

  • Intradistrict: students transfer to another school within their resident school district.
  • Interdistrict: students transfer a school outside of their resident district.

Depending on the state, open-enrollment policies are mandatory, voluntary, or both. 

  • Mandatory policies require districts to participate in the program.
  • Voluntary policies allow districts to choose whether to participate in open enrollment, often allowing school districts the discretion to enter into transfer agreements with other districts.
  • States with both mandatory and voluntary policies usually require mandatory open enrollment in low-performing schools or districts, in defined regions of the state or in other specific circumstances while allowing voluntary open enrollment in the rest of the state.

View the full open enrollment database here.  Please contact Micah Ann Wixom (303.299.3673 or mwixom@ecs.org) with questions or comments.
Open Enrollment Survey 2017
Does the state have open enrollment programs? Yes, mandatory intradistrict if space is available; voluntary interdistrict if the sending district does not have space or if the student lives closer to a school in the receiving district. Additionally, school districts may enter into a transfer contract with another district.
    Intradistrict: Districts must allow intradistrict transfers when all of the following conditions are met and if space is available:
    • Classroom space is not available in the assigned school and is available at the requested school after all resident students are enrolled.
    • The parent submits a written request.
    • The local school board approves.
    Interdistrict: Districts may allow transfers under the following circumstances:
    • Transportation time to the student's assigned school is 45 minutes longer than the receiving school and the distance to the student's assigned school is at least 15 miles further than the receiving school. 
    • Classroom space is available in the requested school.
    • The parent submits a written request.
    • Both school boards approve.

    Citations: Ga. Code Ann. § 20-2-293, § 20-2-294, § 20-2-2130, § 20-2-2131 Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-5-4-.09

    Do desegregation provisions impact open enrollment programs? Open enrollment programs must not interfere with any desegregation plans that are or may be in effect.

    Citations: Ga. Code Ann. § 20-2-294

    Does the state set priorities for districts to follow when accepting students for open enrollment? No. However, districts must admit non-resident children of district employees.

    Citations: Ga. Code Ann. § 20-2-293

    Who is responsible for student transportation? Parents are responsible for transportation, although school districts may contract with each other for transportation.

    Citations: Ga. Code Ann. § 20-2-2131, § 20-2-293, § 20-2-294 Ga. Comp. R. & Regs 160-5-4-.09

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