Elementary School

I've seen this plenty in Richardson in the last couple of years. The schools start the year almost at capacity (spots for may e 1 more in each class), then after first day of school the kids that didn't get a space are sent to other schools as overflow, and before long classes are overfilled and we are sent waivers to sign to let the classes go over capacity. There are more and more kids each year and not enough places for them to go, or money to build new schools.

I don't live in your district obviously but of course I've heard of this happening all over the country. It's something to check out before you buy a house and move. If all the classes are at their maximum size, where should they put your child? They can't magically create space in the school you want. I agree it sucks but it's also why people often look into this before they move. Hopefully it won't be long term and your son can switch to the closer school next year.

Sure - it happens all over the country. Your son will probably be bussed (or you can drive him) to the next nearest school this year. Next year you'll be able to register him at the school nearby. If there isn't space in the school this year, there's nothing they can do. They can't legally put more kids in a class than the state allows. It does suck to have him in a further school this year, but that's what happens sometimes when you move midyear. Hang in there!

I have not had that problem there but I did have a friend that had to send their son across town to kindergarten cause our school was full. You might ask them about transportation. My friends son had a bus pick him up. I don't know if they would do this or not. To me they should help accommodate you. If the school is at capacity they are probably not allowed to take in anymore students. They are doing this for the well being and educational needs of the students!

That has happened here at our school in CA, too. They've had so many budget cutbacks there are fewer teachers, so classes are full in many grades. They're already paying fines for exceeding the state limits for students/class because it's cheaper than keeping more teachers.

I have never been to TX but in both MD and DE they could never turn away a child that was "in district" meaning lived within that school's boundaries but they could turn away if they were trying to school choice to a different school or district.

in our district if a child moves into the district and all classes at their home school are full (at maximum capacity based on the teacher contract) the school district will send a bus to bus the child to the next closest school. it happens.. all 2 of our 3 kindergarten classes are full.. our school can take 1 more kindergartener.. then they will have to go to another school.

I have always had better luck walking into the central office and speaking to them in person. They know the policies better than each school's secretaries. They may send me to the school without doing much of anything, but at least then I can tell the school secretary, "I was just at the central office and they said this to me. Would you like to call them to confirm?"