Transportation of students on transfers is the responsibility of the transferred student and family.

Students will be allowed access to transportation if they can get to an existing Bethel bus stop on an established route for the school they will be attending.

Students who are experiencing homelessness should contact their school counselor or principal to determine if they qualify for support through provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act.

Transfer applications requested for emergencies and hardships are subject to available space and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

1. Capacity determines approval
   1. If the number of requests exceeds available space in a school or grade, an equitable lottery process is used.
2. Waitlist process
   1. Students not approved in the transfer process are placed on a waitlist monitored through the first semester.
   2. After the first semester, waitlists are dissolved.
3. Length of transfer
   1. Transfers remain valid through the final grade of the school (K–5, 6–8, 9–12), unless revoked for attendance or behavior concerns.
   2. A new transfer request is required when students change school levels (elementary → middle → high).
4. Transportation
   1. Transportation is the family's responsibility unless required by law. 
5. Kindergarten
   1. Kindergarten students must register at their neighborhood school before requesting a transfer.
6. One transfer per student per year

Every parent/guardian applying will receive:

• Confirmation of receipt
• Notification of decision (approve / waitlist / not approved)
• If not approved, a written explanation (required by JECB)
   

Transfers may be revoked if a student does not meet attendance or behavior expectations, applied consistently to all students receiving consent.
Academic performance cannot be used as a condition of maintaining a transfer.
 

Required by Oregon law and Bethel Policy JECB:

• Bethel may only enroll nonresident students by:
  • Interdistrict transfer agreement, OR
  • Tuition-paying student (rare) 
• Bethel may not ask about race, disability, IEP status, athletic ability, income, etc., when deciding a transfer.
• If a student is accepted into Bethel, the district will seek consent from the student's home district.
• Students admitted on a transfer are considered a resident for attendance purposes.
• Bethel may require students to meet behavior and attendance expectations, equally applied to all students.
   

If you have any questions about student transfers, please call the District Office at 541-689-3280

For students requesting a transfer into Willamette High School only, families whose transfer request is not approved may appeal the decision.

Purpose of the Appeal
The appeal meeting is intended to:

• Ensure families understand the transfer decision and process
• Review space limitations and program considerations specific to Willamette High School
• Discuss whether any material information was missing or misunderstood at the time of application
• Support transparency and communication between families and the school

Following the appeal meeting:

• The original transfer decision may be affirmed, or
• The district office may review the application for procedural accuracy only
• Families will receive written confirmation of the outcome following the appeal.

Limitations of Appeals

• Appeals do not override district transfer decisions, lottery outcomes, or capacity determinations.

• Appeals may not be used to:

  • Re-rank students

  • Bypass the lottery process

  • Create additional capacity

  • Consider academic performance, disability status, athletics, or other prohibited criteria

• Final authority for transfer approval remains with the Superintendent or designee, consistent with district policy.