Reasons Why Students Transfer Schools
Behind every midyear transfer is a unique student’s story. And though there are many good reasons to switch schools in the middle of the year, it can still be a challenging decision. Here are some stories of real students who chose K12-powered schools and a list of reasons we often hear about why families decide to make a school change midyear.
A Day in the Life of K12-Powered Students: Why They Switched
Demonty
Kindergarten
Demonty was falling behind in pre-K. Now, he’s thriving in kindergarten, thanks to personalized and supportive online education powered by K12.
Meet Demonty
Stephen
10th Grade
Stephen needed a flexible class schedule to train for competitive swimming without compromising his academic performance. K12 provided the balance he needed to succeed in and out of the pool.
Meet Stephen
Mari
7th Grade
The search for a safe learning environment led Mari and her family to a K12-powered school where she can focus on her coursework and hands-on learning activities.
Meet Mari
Concerns About Bullying or Other Safety Issues
About 20% of students have experienced bullying in person or via cyberbullying. These experiences can negatively impact a student’s mental health and ability to focus in the classroom.
If your student is a victim of bullying—physical, emotional, or social—this can be a compelling reason to transfer schools midyear. We take a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying. K12-powered teachers are trained to recognize the signs and take immediate action.
Here are some signs that your student may be experiencing bullying:
- Unexplained injuries
- Loss or destruction of personal property
- Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
- Lowered self-esteem, sudden self-destructive behavior, speaking negatively about themselves
- A decline in grades, increase in absences, or decreased participation in school activities
Physical or Mental Health Concerns
The traditional brick-and-mortar school experience may be intimidating, discouraging, or isolating for students with chronic physical or mental health conditions that may limit their mobility, ability to socialize, or ability to concentrate in a classroom setting.
Physical Health Concerns
Some children have physical limitations due to health conditions that may limit their mobility. Additionally, many schools are only minimally ADA-compliant.
Some students may be able to thrive in traditional schools regardless of any physical concerns, while others may struggle. Those having trouble at their school because of physical limitations may find another school, or even an online school, better able to support their needs.
Mental Health Concerns
A child’s mental health is essential to their well-being, and it’s crucial that their educational environment supports rather than hinders good mental health. Aspects of school culture that may negatively impact your child include:
Some of the best reasons to transfer schools are those surrounding your student’s mental health. If your student struggles with making or maintaining friendships, concentrating on their studies, or engaging in school activities, it might be time to consider transferring schools.
Moving Due to Military or Family Reasons
Military families are well acquainted with the moving process. And there are other reasons you may need to relocate your family to another school district, perhaps due to a job offer, wanting to be closer to other family members, or other reasons.
Researching new schools ahead of your move or considering a K12-powered online school can help ease the school transfer process, offering a consistent, accredited education that your student can pursue at their own pace.
My Student Needs More Challenge
Some students are more advanced than others at their current grade level, which can be a good reason to transfer schools. When students don’t feel academically challenged, it may affect their mood or mental health due to a lack of motivation or excitement, causing students to feel distant from their peers. Changing their learning environment for a more accelerated pace may kickstart their love of learning.
My Student Needs More Support
If your student seems frustrated or frequently complains about their homework, they may be struggling in their current learning environment.
If your student has been diagnosed with conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, Down syndrome, auditory processing disorder (APD), or something similar, they may be having a harder time in a traditional school setting.
Look for schools with specific programs or curriculums in place to support children with unique learning needs.
Curriculum Differs From Your Family Values
You or your family might be uncomfortable with a topic in your student’s curriculum, which can be a good reason to transfer your child to another school. You may also be interested in homeschooling your student, where you’ll have more involvement in their education.
Find the Right Fit With K12
No matter the reason, we will help you transfer your student to a K12-powered school. We support a diverse range of learners who all have different needs. Explore our programs to see what might be the best fit for you and your student.
Learn More About Midyear School Transfers
Switching schools midyear can bring up many questions. That’s why we’ve organized these pages to help provide information about how to get started. Click through to take advantage of these resources.
