Open Enrollment Transfers

Open Enrollment transfers are only available to incoming 9th grade students who wish to attend a school other than their assigned home school, or East Palo Alto Academy (EPAA). After enrollment targets are established at each school and it is determined that there are available seats, a random, unbiased drawing will be held to assign students to those open seats. SUHSD's Administrative Regulation 5116.1 includes further information.

What is my Assigned Home School?

Use the School Site Locator Tool

Click on this link and input your address to find your assigned home school. You may also call the Sequoia Union High School District Office at 650.369.1411 ext. 22395 and ask for assistance.

Open Enrollment Priorities

1. Boundary Exceptions: 
   • For those who verify participating in the Tinsley Program in 8th grade, verify residing in the re-designated boundary zones, and those who verify residing in "The Avenues." For more information, click here.
2. Siblings: 
   • The district shall give priority over other Open Enrollment requests to requests from incoming siblings of students already enrolled in a district school. Open Enrollment Sibling Transfer requests may only be submitted for a student who is new to the district, in order to attend the school in which another sibling is currently enrolled, and who will continue to be enrolled in the school year requested.
3. General
   • Incoming 9th graders may be eligible for admission to their school of choice (subject to capacity) under the district's intra-district open enrollment policy.
      

You agree to and understand the following:

• All Open Enrollment requests are submitted through Online Registration.
• Open Enrollment Transfers are available only to incoming 9th grade students.
• Open Enrollment Transfers will not be reversed or rescinded once the submission window is closed and the deadline has passed.
• Younger Siblings of current students attending the requested or desired school (residing in the same household) will have priority above other Open Enrollment Transfer Applications. An older student is not eligible to transfer to the school of a younger sibling.
• If an Open Enrollment Transfer is requested, the new school becomes the student’s home school
• Open Enrollment Transfer requests are made on a space-available basis at each school site
• Late applicants will NOT be added to the wait list.
• If you apply for an Open Enrollment transfer and are granted your choice, you are responsible for the transportation of your student.
   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How does the district determine which high school my student is assigned to?
The district determines which high school your student attends based on your home address. Click the School Site Locator link to perform an address search. Online Registration must be completed (online or in person at the district office); see the Enrollment page for further details.

2. What if the school assigned is not my preferred school?
If you have an incoming 9th grader, please complete an Open Enrollment request when submitting Online Registration. Approvals are lottery-based and not guaranteed. This applies to incoming 9th grade students only. View the Boundary Exceptions page for more information or contact Student Services.

3. Do I have to submit an Open Enrollment transfer if I want my student to attend their ASSIGNED home school?
No. Students will be automatically placed at their assigned home school based on their residence address. Click the School Site Locator link to perform an address search.

4. Can my student return to his/her originally assigned school if the new school does not work out?
No. Once a Boundary Exception open enrollment transfer request is approved, you may not rescind or transfer out of the newly assigned school.

5. Does my student qualify for sibling priority if they have a sibling who previously attended the school but has since graduated?
No. In order to qualify for the sibling priority, the student must have a sibling assigned to the school during the school year requested.

6. Can I appeal if my child does not get into our desired school through Open Enrollment?
No. There is no appeal process. If your student does not get into your desired school through the Open Enrollment Transfer process, they must attend their assigned school. 

Open Enrollment Public Drawing:  2/5/27

Topic: Open Enrollment Public Drawing

• When: Feb 5, 2026 01:00 PM Pacific Time
• Where: SUHSD District Office

Open Enrollment Transfer Timeline

• October: Online Registration and Open Enrollment parent letter is sent via email and US Postal mail to current 8th grade students
• October 15: Priority Online Registration window opens; all Open Enrollment requests must be completed when submitting Online Registration application, prior to the deadline of February 1st.
• February 1: Open Enrollment window Closes at 4:00pm
  • No late applications are accepted
• February 5: A public drawing will be held (if necessary) for those schools that have more requests than available seats. Students will not know if their application request has been approved at this drawing. The drawing will be held at 1:00 p.m (electronically via video conference). Your attendance is not required.
• First week of March: Approved transfer letter sent to those families who have a transfer approved. A wait list will be established for those whose applications have not been approved.
• April 30: The waitlist expires. If you do not receive a letter regarding the waitlist by this date, you were not approved for a transfer. SUHSD will not send out letters for non-approval for students on the waitlist.

Need Assistance?

For Open Enrollment assistance, please contact:

• Cynthia Guerra, Ext. 22211 or cguerra@seq.org (English & Español)