In Berkeley but moving to Oakland - can stay in BUSD?
We live in a rental in Berkeley and have two daughters in first grade in a BUSD elementary school. Our landlady has put pressure on us to vacate the property, and so we have begun to look around for housing. (I know our rights as tenants, but this is a different issue.) My sense is that we are probably priced out of Berkeley and will need to move to Oakland. What happens if we want to keep our daughters in their current school? What is the process like? How soon do we have to notify BUSD if we move to Oakland? My understanding is that we would have to apply for an out-of-district transfer for the following school year, but what about the current one? What is the likelihood we can keep our kids in their current school through the end of elementary?
Any advice appreciated!
Parent Replies
You would apply for an interdistrict transfer--for this to be permitted, OUSD has to release you and BUSD has to accept you. Continuing in an existing school is a reason that a transfer can be requested and approved, so your chances are solid (but no guarantee). For the current school year you should have no trouble; the gamble might be to keep the transfer for the upcoming year, but it is definitely something both districts have approved for families in the past. I would also consider where you might move to and how convenient (or not) the commute would be, though.
Hi, I do not have direct experience with the inter-district transfer process, but I can tell you that right now enrollment is low, so I don't think it will be very hard to get one for the next few years. I also believe that they would try to keep your kids in through elementary, at least, for continuity's sake. Best of luck!
The next time you have to actually prove residency with Berkeley would be middle school. Maybe you can get a PO Box for temporary while you look. I think once you're in a current school you are OK but dont know for sure. You just want to make sure you're getting mail from the school, so even a friend's Berkeley address might work. But for middle school you definitely would want a real Berkeley address or transfer. We actually live in Berkeley and they did a home check. Good luck!
Our experience is that Oakland is more expensive than Berkeley.