Have you been considering transferring high schools? For some students, enrolling in a new school can be the perfect choice to help them achieve their goals in high school and beyond.

Whatever the reason behind your decision to switch schools, this guide to transferring high schools will help make the transition as easy as possible. 

Why you might need to transfer high schools 

Sometimes, it’s not possible to finish high school at the school you’re attending, and you need to consider transferring high schools. Maybe your family is moving to a new city. You might be facing personal issues at school. Perhaps you’re looking for better academic or athletic opportunities at a different school. A new school might offer the option to earn college credits as a high school student with dual enrollment classes, while your current school may not. 

What to consider before transferring schools

Once you decide that switching high schools is the best option for your situation, you’re faced with a number of questions about how to transfer high schools. 

1. What type of school would be the best fit?
   One of the major questions you’ll need to answer is whether you’re looking for a public school or a private school. A few of the factors to consider when choosing between the two types of schools are tuition, class size, graduation rate, and class offerings. 
   
   
2. Should I choose an in-person or online school?
   In this day and age, online high schools like The American Academy are just as much of an option as attending a brick and mortar school. Depending on your specific situation, the flexibility an online school offers may be something to seriously consider when transferring high schools.
   
   
3. Research your options.
   If you are switching high schools for a reason such as seeking better academic options or unique programs your current school doesnot offer, make sure to have a thorough understanding of the new school’s offerings. Research everything about the schools you’re considering to make sure you’re making a fully informed decision.

When is the best time to transfer high shools?

The ideal time to switch schools would be at the beginning of a new school year, but this isn’t always possible due to the unique circumstances you may be facing. If your decision to switch schools is due to your family moving, you may not be able to enroll in a new school at the start of a school year. If you are transferring for other reasons, such as expanding your class options in a new school, you have more flexibility with the time of year you switch schools. This will allow you to have a cleaner transition because you won’t be starting new classes in the middle of the school year. 

Winter break is another common time of year students and their parents commonly choose for a school transfer if switching at the start of the academic year is not possible.

What do you need to transfer high schools?

When switching high schools, you need to make sure you have gathered all the necessary materials you’ll need for a fresh start at a new school. While every school may have slightly different requirements for the documents they need from new students, make sure you have the following records ready to submit:

• Immunization records 
• Birth certificate
• Transcripts from your current school — Your new school will need information on what classes you’ve taken, credits earned, and the grades you received in each class.
• Proof of residency 
• Transfer application for the school you’ve chosen 

Different graduation requirements at your new school

When you transfer schools, it’s likely your new school will have some different graduation requirements than your previous school did. This is why it’s essential you make sure you have your transcripts from your previous school ready when you enroll in a new school. By meeting with your guidance counselor as soon as possible after you’re accepted into a new school, you can make sure you’re on track to finish high school on time. 

If there are significant gaps in your transcript that need to be filled, there are options to help make sure you complete all the classes you need. Night classes, summer classes, or online classes that fit into your schedule are always an option. 

With online classes from a school such as The American Academy, you can choose flexible, online, accredited classes you can complete outside of normal school hours. Plus, before you even enroll in a course, you can download a course syllabus from our course catalog. Then, your guidance counselor can work with you to understand whether or not the class will be accepted by your new school before you even enroll in a course. 

Making the transition to an online school 

Students often choose to transfer high schools because they are moving out of their current school district. However, moving is not a prerequisite to transferring schools. There are options out there for people looking at how to transfer high schools without moving.

Online high school differs significantly from attending a more traditional high school, but anyone can set themself up for success with a few simple tips. By creating an environment where you can learn and study comfortably without distraction, you can succeed in an online school. 

It’s also important to stay organized and manage your time wisely. Set aside time each day to make sure you are completing assignments and tests on time.

Whatever your reason for choosing to transfer to a new school may be, an online high school like The American Academy could be the perfect fit for you. Our fully accredited online high school diploma program allows you more flexibility in your schedule than a traditional high school. When you have other obligations such as needing to work, take care of family members, or address your own health issues, The American Academy offers 100% online classes that start every business day.

Recommended Readings

How to Switch from Traditional Public School to Online School: Tips for a Successful Transition

Are You Ready for an Online High School Program?