To be eligible to enroll in Henry County Schools, students must reside with their natural parent(s), legal guardian(s), or legal custodian(s) within the boundaries of Henry County.  

Before enrolling students, principals should obtain documentation showing: (1) that the person enrolling the student is the student's natural parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian; and, (2) that the address of the student and parent/guardian is located within the attendance zone for the school.

Students who are 18 years of age may enroll themselves in school provided they present documentation that their residence is located within the attendance zone for the school.

A.        Definitions

Designee – means an individual who is employed by the Henry County School District that the Superintendent has designated to carry out a specific obligation or task referenced herein on behalf of the Superintendent. 

Employee - an employee of the Henry County Board of Education who is classified as full-time in his/her position/job title.

Legal Custodian - the person who has been given legal custody by a court of proper jurisdiction.

Legal Guardian - the person to whom a probate judge has given statutory parental rights.

Parent - the natural or adoptive father or mother.  The term parent as used hereinafter shall be inclusive for the terms legal custodian and legal guardian.

Sibling  - the natural or adoptive brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or other school-age child residing at the same residence.

Stepparent - the spouse living in the same residence with the student's parent. 

B.        Proof of Residence

To be eligible to enroll in Henry County Schools, students must reside full-time with their natural parent(s), legal guardian(s), or legal custodian(s) within the boundaries of Henry County.  Students and their parent(s)/guardian(s)/custodian(s) must be a full-time Henry County resident for the entire period of enrollment of the child in the Henry County School System.  For the purpose of this policy, a resident is defined as an individual who is a full-time occupant of a dwelling located in Henry County and who, on any given school day, is likely to be at their stated Henry County address when not at work or school.  A parent/guardian/custodian who owns property in Henry County, but who does not reside at their stated address, is not considered a resident for enrollment purposes.

Proof of residence is required when a student initially enrolls in a Henry County school and whenever a change of residence occurs. 

1.       The principal or designee shall accept the following records as proof of residency:

(a) A lease or rental agreement consisting of written evidence that the agreement is valid and current, and two current utility bills or verification letter from two of the following utility companies: gas, electric, water, sanitation or cable company. Rental agreements must identify the parent/guardian as the tenant of record fiscally responsible for the residence listed in the agreement.  Parents/Guardians listed as occupants of a stated residence are not considered tenants of the property for the purposes of enrollment. All records must include the name and street address of the parent/guardian and service addresses must be plainly visible in any utility document provided as proof; OR

(b) A current residential property tax statement, settlement statement, homestead exemption notice, or property deed, and two current utility bills or verification letter from either the gas, electric, water, sanitation or cable company. Parents/Guardians not listed in ownership documents willing to provide evidence of their legal relationship to the owner shall be permitted to use those documents as an authorized representative of the titleholder.  All records must include the name and street address of the parent/guardian and service addresses must be plainly visible in any utility document provided as proof; OR

(c) A Henry County Schools Affidavit of Residency.  A parent/guardian who resides full time in Henry County but is unable to provide the consistent records listed above may complete a Henry County Schools Affidavit of Residency.  The affidavit shall be completed with school system personnel and signed by the parent/guardian.  In addition, the legal owner or authorized tenant of the property where the student and parent/guardian reside shall complete and sign the affidavit with school system personnel and provide the documentation required as proof of residence.  The affidavit will be in effect until the parent/guardian provides proof of residence as required by this policy, but no longer than the end of the current school year. 

All such documents must be in the name of the student's parent/guardian and must consistently identify that individual with the property address of the residence. 

2.       Construction, Purchase, or Lease of a Permanent Residence in another School Attendance Zone in Henry County 

When a parent and child who reside in Henry County are in the process of relocating to a permanent residence in another school attendance zone within the county, the child may be enrolled in school based on the attendance zone for the parent's and child's new residence provided the following conditions are met:

(a) If the parent commences construction of a permanent residence on property in Henry County, the parent shall provide to the principal a recorded property deed, building permit and valid construction contract showing an occupancy date within four months (120 calendar days) from the beginning of the school year or the date the child was enrolled in school. 

(b) If the parent enters into an agreement to purchase an existing permanent residence located in Henry County, the parent shall provide to the principal a copy of a valid and binding contract showing that possession, occupancy and title to the property will be granted within four months (120 calendar days) from the beginning of the school year or the date the child was enrolled in school. 

(c) If the parent enters into an agreement for the lease of an existing permanent residence located in Henry County, the parent shall provide to the principal a copy of a valid and binding contract showing the parent to be the legal tenant and showing that occupancy of the property will be granted within four months (120 calendar days) from the beginning of the school year or the date the child was enrolled in school.

Upon occupancy of the said residence, the parent shall provide to the school the required proof of residence.  If the parent and child do not reside in said residence by the end of the four-month period, the child shall be returned to their assigned school based on the parent's current residence.  In the event extraordinary circumstances occur which prevent the parent and child from occupying said permanent residence within the four-month period, the parent may apply to the Superintendent or designee for an extension of time.  The Superintendent or designee may grant up to an additional sixty (60) days if sufficient evidence is presented to authorize the extension. 

Contingency contracts are not considered as meeting the requirements of this policy.

3.       Verification and Violation of Policy

A school system representative may visit the address given by any parent/guardian to verify residency.  If it is determined that the enrollment of any student is in violation of board of education policy, the following actions may be taken:  1) the student shall be immediately withdrawn from school; 2) the parent/guardian shall be charged tuition for the period of the violation together with all court and legal expenses incurred by the Henry County Board of Education regarding the matter; and, 3) parties who provide false information to circumvent residency requirements shall be prosecuted for false swearing. 

C.        Student Assignment to Schools

1.       Attendance Zones

Students shall be assigned to specific schools according to the school attendance zones approved by the Henry County Board of Education.  School bus transportation services are provided only for eligible students who attend school within their school attendance zone. 

2.       Special Education Services

A child who is classified as a Special Education student under the appropriate federal and state statutes and who cannot obtain required special services within the child's school attendance zone shall be assigned to a school where such services are provided in accordance with that student’s Individual Education Program (IEP).  School bus transportation services for special education students are provided according to each student's IEP.   

3.       Homeless Students

Henry County Schools will work with homeless students and families to provide stability in school attendance and other services in the manner required by federal and state law.  Henry County Board of Education Policy JBC-1 and the administrative procedures thereof shall be followed regarding homeless students.

D.        School Transfer Requests

1.       Priority Consideration for School Transfers

Certain provisions of federal and state law, and of board of education policy, provide the option for a parent to transfer their child to another school.  To ensure compliance with all such laws, school transfers shall be prioritized in the following manner: 

(a) The first priority shall be school transfers which are authorized for eligible students based on federal and/or state law or Henry County Board of Education policy, regardless of school capacity.

(b) The second priority shall be school transfers which are authorized for eligible students based on federal law, contingent upon school capacity.

(c) The third priority shall be school transfers which are authorized for eligible students based on state law and/or Henry County Board of Education policy, contingent upon school capacity.  Under this priority level, if the number of transfer requests for a particular school exceeds the available capacity of a school, a random lottery shall be conducted to ensure each interested student has an equal chance to be admitted.

2.       School Capacity

The Superintendent or designee will determine which schools have available classroom space and are eligible to accept school choice transfers contingent upon school capacity.  This determination will be based on an analysis of the school’s projected enrollment (as calculated by the Superintendent or designee), the school’s capacity (as calculated by State Instructional Unit Allocations), the capacity of the school building and permanent classrooms based on applicable health and safety laws, and a factor determined by the Superintendent or designee to account for attendance zone growth and legally mandated school transfers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any school with any portable classroom(s) shall not be deemed to have available classroom space.  

3.       School Transfer Applications

All school transfer applications must be submitted in writing on the official form and according to the procedures and designated timeframe established for each transfer option. All applicable forms, procedures and timelines with respect to school transfers that are not specifically set forth herein shall be determined by the Superintendent or designee.

4.       Attendance and Behavior Expectations

Students approved for school transfer are expected to have regular and punctual attendance and to abide by all disciplinary rules at the school where they attend.

5.       Student Eligibility for Athletic/Extracurricular Activities

Students and parents should be aware that school transfers may affect the student’s eligibility to participate in athletic and extracurricular activities governed by the Georgia High School Association (GHSA).  It shall be the parent’s responsibility to verify whether GHSA requirements may affect their child’s eligibility prior to submitting a school transfer request.

E.         School Choice Options

1.       Needs Improvement School Choice Option

Subject to the requirements of federal and state law, if a child’s assigned school does not meet certain requirements for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), parents may have the option of transferring their child to a public school that has not been identified as Needs Improvement. 

(a) Requests for Transfer from Title I Schools:  Parents will have the option of transferring their child to a school that has not been identified as Needs Improvement.  Such transfer will not be contingent upon the availability of classroom space.  Any provision for transportation services will be according to the requirements of law.

(b) Requests for Transfer from non-Title I Schools:  Parents will have the option of transferring their child to a school that has not been identified as Needs Improvement and that has been identified as having available classroom space.  Priority for such transfers will be given to the lowest achieving, low income students.  Transportation services will not be provided unless funds for this purpose are appropriated by the legislature.

Upon notification from the Georgia Department of Education of the AYP status of schools, the Superintendent or designee will notify parents regarding any applicable transfer options and the timeline and procedures for submitting transfer requests.  A student who transfers under this option may continue to attend such school until the student completes all grades of the school.

2.       Unsafe School Choice Option

(a) Victim of a Violent Criminal Offense:  Subject to the requirements of federal and state law, any student who is the victim of a violent criminal offense that occurs on the property of the Henry County school in which the student is enrolled, while attending a school-sponsored event that occurs on school property, or while attending an event under the jurisdiction of the school shall be permitted to transfer to another public school in Henry County.  This transfer shall occur within ten school days of the commission of the violent criminal offense, and to the extent possible, the student shall be permitted to transfer to a school that is making adequate yearly progress and has not been identified as being in school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring.

Per State Board of Education Rule 160-4-8-.16, for the purposes of this rule, a violent criminal offense includes the following felony transgressions of law as defined in state statute: aggravated battery, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated sodomy, armed robbery, first degree arson, felony weapons charge, kidnapping, murder, rape, voluntary manslaughter, or terroristic threats. 

(b) Persistently Dangerous School:  Subject to the requirements of federal and state law, any student whose assigned school is classified as a persistently dangerous school shall be permitted to transfer to another public school in Henry County.  Within ten school days of notification by the Georgia Department of Education, the Superintendent or designee shall notify parents of students enrolled in a school classified as persistently dangerous and specify the process for the transfer of a student to another school. This transfer shall occur within 30 days of the request, and to the extent possible, the student shall be permitted to transfer to a school that is making adequate yearly progress and has not been identified as being in school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring. 

School transfers under the Unsafe School Choice Option will not be contingent upon school capacity at the requested school.  The transportation of students to and from school shall be the responsibility of parents. A student who transfers under this option may continue to attend such school until the student completes all grades of the school.

3.       Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program (SB 10)

Subject to the requirements of state law, a parent whose child meets the eligibility criteria for participation in the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program has the right to request a transfer to another school.

Transfer requests from within the Henry County School District are contingent upon the requested school having available classroom space AND a program with the services agreed to in the student's individual education program (IEP).  If permission is granted to attend the requested school, the parent shall be responsible for transporting their child to and from school.  A student who transfers under this option may continue to attend such school until the student completes all grades of the school, graduates, or reaches the age of 21, whichever occurs first.

Out-of-district requests to attend Henry County Schools may be denied even if classroom space and IEP services are available.

The Superintendent or designee shall annually notify parents of the options available under this program and the timeline and procedures for submitting transfer requests.

4.       Georgia Public School Choice Option (HB 251)

Subject to the requirements of state law, a parent can elect to send their child to another public school in the Henry County School System if there is available classroom space at such school.  Newly opened schools shall not be available to accept such transfers for a period of four years from the date of opening unless approved by the Henry County Board of Education.

If a parent elects to exercise this option, the parent assumes the responsibility and costs of transporting their child to and from school.  A student who transfers under this option may continue to attend such school until the student completes all grades of the school.

By July 1 of each year, the Superintendent or designee will notify parents regarding which schools have available classroom space, and the timeline and procedures for submitting transfer requests.

5.       Child of Henry County School System Employee

If the Henry County School System employs a child's parent or step-parent, the child may be enrolled in the appropriate grade level school desired by the parent.  Once enrolled, the child will be expected to attend that school for the duration of the school year unless extenuating circumstances warrant reconsideration of the decision and a school transfer is authorized by the Superintendent or designee. 

This option is not contingent upon school capacity at the requested school. However, approval to remain at the requested school may be revoked by the Superintendent or designee due to attendance or behavior concerns.  The transportation of students to and from school shall be the responsibility of the student’s parents. 

6.       Siblings of Students

Siblings of students who are required by Henry County Schools to attend a specific school may be enrolled in the same school so that children who are full-time residents at the same address may attend school together.  For example, this option applies to siblings of Special Education students who cannot obtain required special education services within the child's school attendance zone. 

This option is not contingent upon school capacity at the requested school. However, approval to remain at the requested school may be revoked by the Superintendent or designee due to attendance or behavior concerns. The transportation of students to and from school shall be the responsibility of the student’s parents.

7.       Before-School and/or After-School Child Care (Grades K-5)

If for any child in Kindergarten through fifth grades, a significant childcare hardship exists that cannot be met by regular bus transportation and Henry County Schools After-School Program care, parents may request consideration for school transfer.

In order for such transfer requests to be considered, the parent must provide sufficient evidence that changing the present before and/or after school care for the child (children) would cause a hardship, or provide evidence that alternative before and/or after-school care is not available. 

This option is not contingent upon school capacity at the requested school. However, approval to remain at the requested school may be revoked by the Superintendent or designee due to attendance or behavior concerns. The transportation of students to and from school shall be the responsibility of the student’s parents.

8.       Academy for Advanced Studies

The Academy for Advanced Studies, located on the campus of Henry County High School, provides students access to secondary and postsecondary coursework not available at other schools in the district.  Students who gain admission to such coursework shall be approved for transfer to Henry County High School.  

Students who gain admission to secondary course work shall be approved for transfer to Henry County High School.  Students who gain admission to postsecondary course work shall be allowed to attend such course work on a shared-time basis to participate in postsecondary course work while maintaining school enrollment through his/her home school.  Admission may be limited by the enrollment capacity of program offerings.

The approval to remain at Henry County High is contingent upon the student’s continued participation in Academy for Advanced Studies coursework and may be revoked by the Superintendent or designee due to attendance or behavior concerns. The transportation of students to and from school shall be the responsibility of the student’s parents.

The Superintendent or designee shall annually notify parents of the options available under this program and the timeline and procedures for submitting transfer requests.

9.       Parent Moves to another School Attendance Zone in Henry County 

(a) If a child is enrolled in Henry County Schools at the beginning of the school year, and the child's parent moves to another school attendance zone within the county after the school year begins, the parent shall have the option to let the child remain in the original school for the remainder of the school year.  At the beginning of the next school year, the child shall enroll in the school in the attendance zone where the child and parent reside.

(b) If a Henry County student is a rising high school senior and their parent moves to a residence in another school attendance zone within the county prior to the beginning of the school year, the parent shall have the option of allowing the student to remain in the original school for the completion of the student's high school senior year.

These options are not contingent upon school capacity at the requested school. However, approval to remain at the requested school may be revoked by the Superintendent or designee due to attendance or behavior concerns. The transportation of students to and from school shall be the responsibility of the student’s parents.

10.     Parent Moves Outside Henry County

(a) If a child is enrolled in a Henry County school at the beginning of the last grading period (last six weeks) of the semester, and the child's parent moves outside the County, the parent shall have the option to request that the child remain in the original school for the remainder of that semester.

(b) If a high school senior is enrolled in a Henry County school through the completion of the third grading period (third six weeks) of the child's high school senior year, and the parent moves outside of Henry County, the parent shall have the option of allowing the child to remain in the original school for the completion of the child's high school senior year. 

Such options are not contingent upon school capacity at the requested school. However, approval to remain at the requested school may be revoked by the Superintendent or designee due to attendance or behavior concerns. The transportation of students to and from school shall be the responsibility of the student’s parents.

F.         Superintendent Authorization

To the greatest extent permitted by law, the Superintendent is authorized to enroll a child in any school within the system and may terminate any approval for school transfer without notice or hearing.  The decision of the Superintendent or designee as to whether a requested school transfer will be permitted shall be final.