Transfers- Non Oregon States

1. Why OpenEd Requires a District Transfer

OpenEd is a public charter school, not a homeschool program or private school. Because your child is enrolling in a public school outside your home school district, most states require your home district to officially release your child before enrollment is complete. This is a state law requirement — not an OpenEd policy.

If you are currently homeschooling: You still need to complete this process in states that require it. Homeschool enrollment does not exempt families from the transfer requirement.

If your child attends a private school: The transfer only notifies your resident public school district. Your child's private school is not contacted and is not involved in any way.

2. Does My State Require One?

Transfer requirements vary by state. Here is the current status for each active OpenEd state outside of Oregon:

Arkansas — Arkansas has mandatory statewide open enrollment. All districts are required to comply with open enrollment provisions. Your enrollment tasks will show whether a transfer document is required for your district.

Colorado — Colorado has mandatory interdistrict open enrollment and charter schools are open to students statewide. Your enrollment tasks will confirm what is required for your specific district.

Indiana — Indiana students can enroll in public charter schools without a traditional district release agreement. The home district is not a party to the transfer. Your portal will show what documentation is needed.

Iowa — Iowa has mandatory interdistrict open enrollment and virtual academies are included in that framework. Students enroll in online programs through the statewide open enrollment process.

Kansas — Kansas has universal open enrollment allowing any student to attend any school with available capacity. Note that the state's open enrollment law explicitly excludes virtual schools from some of its provisions. Your portal enrollment tasks are the accurate source for what OpenEd requires in Kansas specifically.

Minnesota — Minnesota state law requires that admission to a charter school be free to any eligible pupil who resides within the state. No district-level release is required. Families switching to an online program complete a Statewide Enrollment Options form so that funding follows the student.

Montana — Montana has open enrollment provisions and accepts charter school enrollment statewide. Your enrollment tasks will confirm requirements for your district.

Nevada — Nevada has open enrollment and charter school enrollment is open to students statewide. Your portal will show whether a transfer document is needed.

North Dakota — North Dakota has interdistrict open enrollment. Your enrollment tasks will confirm what is required.

Oklahoma — Oklahoma has year-round interdistrict open enrollment and charter school enrollment is open to students statewide. Your portal will show requirements for your situation.

Texas — Texas has interdistrict open enrollment and charter schools are open to students statewide. Your enrollment tasks will confirm what is needed.

Utah — Utah state law establishes that charter schools are open to any Utah student statewide. No interdistrict transfer form is required to enroll in a Utah charter school.

Washington — Washington has interdistrict open enrollment policies. Requirements can vary by district. Your enrollment tasks will confirm what is needed for your specific situation.

Wyoming — Wyoming has both intradistrict and interdistrict open enrollment. Your enrollment tasks will show what is required.

The simplest rule for all states: Check your enrollment tasks in your parent portal. If a transfer form appears as an incomplete task, it is required. If it does not appear, contact our team to confirm before assuming you are all set.

3. How the Process Works

While the specific steps vary by state, here is the general flow for non-Oregon families:

Step 1 — Your portal will show the transfer task in your enrollment checklist if one is required.

Step 2 — OpenEd generates the form with your child's information pre-filled and sends it to you by email for your signature, or directs you to complete it through your home district depending on your state.

Step 3 — You sign and return the form. Once signed, OpenEd receives a copy automatically in most cases. You do not need to forward it separately unless instructed.

Step 4 — Your home district reviews and signs the release. Most districts respond within 1 to 3 weeks.

Step 5 — Once completed, upload the signed form to your enrollment task in your portal to close it out.

If you are unsure which step you are on, contact our team through live chat with your child's name, your state, and your home school district and we will tell you exactly where things stand.

4. Do I Need a New Transfer Form Every Year?

For most states, yes — a new form is required each year you re-enroll. Transfer approvals typically cover one school year at a time.

Your enrollment tasks are the accurate source. If a transfer form appears as an incomplete task during re-enrollment, it is required for that year. If it does not appear, contact our team to confirm.

5. Each Child Requires Their Own Form

A transfer approval for one child does not extend to siblings. If you are enrolling a new child while other children are already enrolled, the new child needs their own transfer completed separately. This applies even if all your children are in the same grade and the same district.

6. Moving to a New Address Within Your State

If you move to a new address that falls under a different school district, you will need a new transfer from your new resident district.

• Contact our team through live chat as soon as your move is confirmed
• Share your new address and the name of the school district for your new location
• We will initiate a new transfer request tied to your updated information

If your new address is still in the same school district, contact our team to confirm whether anything needs to be updated before taking any action.

7. Transferring to a Different State

If you are moving to a different state where OpenEd operates, you may be able to transfer your enrollment rather than withdrawing and starting over. Whether a mid-year transfer is possible depends on timing and the receiving state's enrollment calendar.

States where OpenEd currently operates: Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

What to do:

• Contact our team as soon as you know your move date and destination state
• Do not withdraw from your current enrollment before speaking with us — withdrawing can complicate re-enrollment in the new state and may affect your child's coursework continuity
• Our team will confirm whether a mid-year transfer is possible and walk you through the steps

If your destination state is not on the list above, contact our team to discuss your options.

8. Military Families With PCS Orders

If you receive PCS orders, contact our team right away — even if orders are not yet finalized.

• Share your expected move date and destination state
• We will begin the transfer process early based on anticipated orders when possible
• If your destination state is not currently served by OpenEd, our team can help you plan the transition and advise on timing
• If you are moving overseas, contact us to discuss whether continued enrollment in your current state program is possible from your new location — some families remain enrolled while stationed abroad depending on the state

Do not withdraw until you have spoken with us. We will work with you to minimize disruption to your child's coursework.

9. What to Do If Your Transfer Is Denied or Delayed

If your district has not responded after 3 weeks, contact our team. We can follow up with your district directly. You do not need to call your district yourself.

If your district denied the transfer, contact our team immediately with the denial notice. Options may include resubmitting with additional documentation, appealing to your district or state education department, or exploring alternative approaches. Do not assume a denial is final before speaking with us.

If your district cites a capacity cap, contact our team right away. Some states limit the percentage of students a district can release. We have experience navigating these situations and can advise on what is available.

10. Common Questions by Situation

We are considering a move but have not decided yet — should I start the process now? Wait until your move is confirmed. Starting a transfer for the wrong district creates delays. Once your new address is final, contact us and we will move quickly.

My child was enrolled before, left for a year, and is now re-enrolling. Do we need a new transfer? Yes. If your child attended a different school or program in the interim, a new transfer is required. Contact our team and we will get it started.

We enrolled mid-year. Do we need a transfer? Yes, if it appears in your enrollment tasks. Mid-year enrollment requires the same transfer process. Contact our team when you start your enrollment tasks and we will advise on timing.

My child attends a private school and I want to add OpenEd. Will the transfer notify the private school? No. The transfer only involves your resident public school district. Your child's private school is not contacted.

I have children in two different states. How does that work? Each child's enrollment is tied to their primary residence. Contact our team with each child's situation separately and we will walk through what is needed for each state.

What happens to the transfer if my child withdraws from OpenEd? If your child withdraws, they return to your home district's enrollment. Contact our team when you initiate a withdrawal and we will confirm the process for your state.

Still Not Sure What You Need?

Contact our support team through live chat in your parent portal. Share your child's name, your state, and your home school district and we will tell you exactly where you stand and what the next step is.