How to Transfer Schools: Navigating a Transition to NDCHS

There's no shortage of reasons that a guardian, teachers, and admins might decide that a student needs to transfer to a new high school. If your student is struggling academically, mentally, or socially and can't get the support they need, a transfer might be the right solution. It's not an easy decision, but sometimes it leads to the best possible outcomes.

New Dawn Charter High School is specifically equipped to welcome transfer students who are under-credited and over-aged and help them graduate. In this article, we'll take you through the process of how to transfer schools, using New Dawn Charter High School as the model.

Why would a student transfer schools?

Let's review the most common reasons that parents and students decide it's time for weighing their school options and, ultimately, changing schools.

1. Family relocation. When families move to a new area due to job changes, financial reasons, or personal circumstances, students often must change schools.
2. Seeking better academic opportunities. Some students transfer to schools with more rigorous academic programs, specialized courses, or better educational resources to meet their needs and aspirations.
3. Social reasons. Students may transfer schools to be closer to friends or to escape social conflicts and negative peer relationships. Unfortunately, bullying and safety issues can lead students to transfer schools in search of a more secure and supportive environment.
4. Accommodations. While all schools are required to accommodate IEPs and 504 plans, some are better equipped to implement them than others. In smaller settings, more individualized instruction, interpersonal guidance, and leniency can allow these types of accommodations to more seamlessly blend into classroom instruction. Students with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or other health-related concerns may transfer schools to access better support services or accommodations.
5. Family dissatisfaction with current school. Parents may become dissatisfied with the academic climate, discipline policies, or school culture, leading them to seek another school.
6. Behavioral issues or court referrals. Students who struggle with chronic absenteeism and behavioral issues often become stagnant at their current high schools. Transferring to an educational institution that is better equipped to encourage their growth can be transformational.

At New Dawn Charter High School — established as a "transfer school" — we're committed to providing education to over-aged and under-credited students between ages 15-21 who have attended at least one other high school. Students transfer to our charter school for many reasons, but the primary reasons are their ages and lack of completed credits.

Navigating the challenges of transferring

Transferring to a new school can present several challenges, including:

• Adapting to a new social environment
• Navigating different academic expectations
• Feeling disconnected from established friend groups.

To ease this transition and encourage student satisfaction, transfer students should try to proactively engage in their new school community. They benefit by joining clubs or other extracurricular activities where they can meet peers in the school student population who share their interests. That's easier said than done. But students often find that transferring to a better school — one that fits their needs — can bring new opportunities for friends who have similar needs and backgrounds.

Guidance counselors and teachers can help clarify expectations and help students adjust to new coursework. Fortunately, New Dawn Charter High School's mentorship program partners each student with a staff member to build stronger relationships and encourage students to stay on track to graduate. Keeping lines of communication open with parents or guardians can also provide much-needed emotional support during this transition period.

Finally, maintaining a positive attitude and being patient with oneself during the adjustment process is key. Building new friendships and finding one's place in a new school takes time. With persistence and a willingness to step out of one's comfort zone, students can successfully integrate into their new school environment.

How to transfer schools

Student participation in the transfer process can help lead to a smooth transition. It positions them as an active participant in their education decisions. However, if your student is less-than-interested in facilitating a smooth school transfer, don't stress. As their guardian, here are the steps you need to take when you're ready to transition your high schooler to a new school:

1. Research and decision-making. The process typically starts with researching potential schools to transfer to. Factors to consider may include academic programs, admissions requirements, student needs, location, and school culture. Once a decision is made, the student and their parents or guardians will need to determine the timeline for the transfer.
2. Contact the new school. Reach out to the admissions office or guidance counselor at the new school to ask about their transfer process and requirements. If you have any questions about enrollment at New Dawn, contact Kim Fields (kfields@ndchsbrooklyn.org). Some schools may have specific procedures or paperwork that need to be completed before admission. For specific information about student admission at New Dawn, click here for specifics about enrollment.<<<<<
3. Gather necessary documentation. Collect all required documents for the transfer, which may include academic records for transfering credits, immunization records, and proof of residency.
4. Meet with the current school administration. Inform the current school of the decision to transfer and request that they help with the transfer process.
5. Complete paperwork. Fill out any necessary transfer forms or applications required by both the current and new schools. Be sure to submit all required documentation by the specified deadlines to avoid delays and make sure all transfer credits are applied.
6. Transition planning. As the transfer date approaches, begin preparing for the transition to the new school. This may involve taking a tour, familiarizing oneself with the new school's policies and procedures, and reaching out to teachers or administrators for any questions or concerns.
7. Orientation and integration. Attend any transfer orientation sessions or events offered by the new school to get acquainted with the campus, meet faculty and staff, and connect with other students. Take advantage of opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities or clubs to start building new friendships and adjusting to the new school environment.
8. Follow-up. After transferring schools, stay in communication with teachers, counselors, and other school staff as needed to address any concerns or support needs. Keep track of academic progress and continue to actively engage in the new school community to ensure a successful transition.

Why a "transfer school"?

In New York City, a "transfer school" refers to a type of public high school specifically designed to serve students who are at risk of dropping out or who have fallen behind in credits for graduation. Transfer schools provide an alternative for students who may have struggled in traditional high school settings because of academic challenges, personal circumstances, socio-economic factors, or other reasons.

Transfer schools typically offer smaller class sizes, personalized attention, and a supportive environment. The goal is to help students catch up on credits, graduate from high school, and prepare for college or career pathways. These schools often provide a combination of academic coursework, blended learning, counseling, and support services to address the individual needs of each student.

Transfer schools are often misunderstood by broader educational authorities that focus on certain unfair statistics as metrics of efficacy. One of the most comprehensive reviews of transfer schools was prepared by the Eskolta School Research and Design with input from transfer school alumni. This organization is a nonprofit consultancy that provides training and services to alternative schools in New York.

Eskolta analyzed data for New York City students who should have graduated in 2015 but didn’t because they didn’t pass enough classes and earn enough credits. The data showed that 51 percent of these students subsequently succeeded in graduating over the next four years if they attended a transfer school. That’s double the rate at traditional high schools, where only 25 percent of this population of older students without enough credits succeeded in graduating. For younger students who were sophomores at age 17 — two years older than their peers —  the graduation rate at a transfer school was almost three times that of a traditional high school, 56 percent versus 20 percent.

The purpose of this review, titled "How They Thrive: Lessons From New York City Alternative School Alumni" was to humanize the students behind test scores, attendance, and other school data that's often criticized by broader educational institutions and authorities. It showed that the core of the issue was the systemic barriers that students face prior to attending a transfer school. It also highlighted that underserved students are making progress at transfer schools that isn't measured by traditional accountability metrics. The truth is, transfer schools provide invaluable, quality education for students who might not succeed or thrive in a particular school or traditional education community.

How to Transfer Schools: Find Your Community at New Dawn Charter High School

Whether you're a student contemplating a transfer, a parent supporting your child's decision, or an educator involved in facilitating smooth transitions, we hope you found some valuable guidance. If you have a student who would benefit from the smaller class sizes and personalized guidance offered by New Dawn Charter High School, find out here whether they meet the eligibility requirements. New Dawn is committed to making sure under-credited and over-aged students graduate from high school and are able to achieve the best possible outcomes post-graduation.