The Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD) will begin accepting applications for open campus student transfers on April 1, 2025, for the 2025-26 school year. The transfer window will remain open until June 30, allowing families the opportunity to apply for student transfers under the district’s newly approved open/closed campus designations. The CFISD Board of Trustees approved these designations during its March 3, 2025, meeting.

Understanding the CFISD Transfer Process

CFISD supports the concept of neighborhood schools and community involvement, assigning students to schools based on their primary residence within designated attendance zones. However, the district recognizes that families may have unique circumstances or preferences that lead them to seek a transfer to a different campus. The open campus transfer process provides an opportunity for students to attend a school outside their assigned attendance zone, subject to specific guidelines and campus capacity limitations.

When to Consider a Transfer

Families might consider applying for a transfer for various reasons, including:

• Academic Programs: Seeking specialized programs or courses not available at the zoned campus.

• Extracurricular Activities: Desiring participation in specific sports, arts, or clubs offered at another school.

• Proximity to Work or Childcare: Preferring a school closer to a parent's workplace or childcare provider.

• Sibling Attendance: Wishing for siblings to attend the same school, especially if they've moved residences.

It's important to note that approval of transfer requests is not guaranteed and is contingent upon campus capacity and adherence to district policies.

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How to Apply for a Transfer

The transfer application process is as follows:

1. Application Availability: Beginning April 1, applications will be accessible online at www.cfisd.net and in print at campus registrar offices.

2. Submission Deadline: Completed applications must be submitted by June 30 to be considered for the upcoming school year.

3. Review Process: Each application will be reviewed based on the reason for the request, the receiving campus’s enrollment and class sizes, and the timing within the school year. Principals will determine if the campus can accommodate the transfer request.

4. Notification: Applicants will be informed of the decision prior to the start of the school year.

Campus Transfer Eligibility Tiers

CFISD has categorized campuses into three tiers based on permanent capacity relative to projected enrollment:

• Tier I: Campuses operating at less than 95% of projected enrollment are open for a limited number of transfers.

• Tier II: Campuses at 95-109% capacity are closed to new transfers, except for children of district employees.

• Tier III: Campuses exceeding 109% capacity are closed to all new transfers, with the exception of children of district employees assigned to facilities within the requested school’s attendance zone.

List of Tier I Campuses Accepting Transfers

A total of 70 campuses are designated as Tier I schools and will accept transfers, including:

• 7 high schools: Cy-Fair, Cypress Creek, Cypress Falls, Cypress Ridge, Cypress Springs, Jersey Village, and Langham Creek.

• 17 middle schools: Including Anthony, Aragon, Arnold, Bleyl, Campbell, and Spillane.

• 46 elementary schools: Such as Ault, Bane, Birkes, Copeland, Farney, Kirk, Pope, and Yeager.

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Additional Considerations

• Change of Residence Transfers: Students who move out of their attendance zone after the school year has begun may apply to remain at their current campus. Similarly, families planning to move into a CFISD attendance zone within 18 weeks can request a transfer to enroll at the campus zoned for their new address. 

• Special Education Students: Students with existing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) transferring from another district will have their IEPs implemented upon enrollment, with necessary evaluations conducted to ensure appropriate placement and services. 

• Pre-Kindergarten Programs: CFISD offers both qualified (free) and tuition-based pre-kindergarten programs at various campuses, with enrollment based on eligibility criteria and space availability. 

Ensuring Equitable Access to Education

The open campus transfer period aims to allow students and families to select schools that best fit their academic and extracurricular needs while balancing capacity limitations across the district.

For more details on campus designations and the transfer process, visit the CFISD website.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.