how can my son go to another high school?

Question

WE ARE DESPERATE WE DO NOT LIVE IN THE BEST AREA AND ARE ON PUBLIC HOUSING THAT IS PERMENANT. THE HS FOR OUR CHILD WILL BE GANGS ETC. HOW OR WHAT ROUTE CAN WE USE TO ENSURE THAT HE CAN GO TO ANOTHER HIGHSCHOOL IN ANOTHER ISD THAT WE CAN BUS HIM TO? ODD I KNOW BUT SAFETY A MUST~

Answer 1

Most American public high schools have a "district". If you live in the district, you go to that high school. The local taxes pay for the local schools. You could talk to the principal, and see if there are options. Or you could move to a different district. Or you could go to private or church school. But that might cost a lot of money.

Answer 2

Some districts have "magnet programs" which emphasize certain professions. For example LAUSD has 2 or 3 arts magnets, 1 medical sciences magnet, 1 or 2 comunictions magnets, 2 music magnets, 1 international business magnet,....you have to apply to them and get accepted.

I also know that many districts will accept an interdistrict transfer if you have good reasons. One of my co-workers lives in bakersfield but teaches in a nearby town, so her child goes to school where she teaches.

there are many ways around the bad school atmosphere issue, find something that the school does not offer and that your student is already involved in, and go find a suitable transfer.

Answer 3

Most high schools in the public housing areas don't have a great range of optional subjects. If you can find a high school that offers a specialty that is not offered in your local area school, you would have a valid reason for transferring - eg a class in movie production, or computer programming.

Answer 4

I take it that America has the same measures as the UK in terms of children can only go to the school that is in their catchment area. But there are ways around this:

- If you have relatives/friends who live in an area with a better school, you can appeal to that school by saying your son is cared for by them on an after-school basis as you have work commitments and cannot be there for him when he gets home so it would be easier for him to go to school there. It has worked for a neighbour of mine who used this excuse to get to a better school. I don't know if this will work for you as in the UK, kids not only start high school much younger (at eleven/twelve) but it's illegal to leave a child under sixteen alone for hours on end so they are more likely to grant such requests here.

- you can ask your chosen high school if your son can attend there as he is having problems with severe bullying from a handful of kids who will be going to the same high school as him. It's lying but I think you'd find it worth it.

- You can start your son at the school he has to go to then wait a few months before asking your chosen high school if he can attend there as he's having problems with bullying.