FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I apply for a school transfer?
MCPS FORM 335-45: Request for Change of
School Assignment, is included in this booklet.
The form is also available online at www.
montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/transfers/ where
it can be found in six additional languages. Fill it
out and return it to your home school for review,
residency verification, and signature by the
principal. The school will forward the form to
DPPAS for processing.
Students new to the school system must be enrolled
and registered in their home school prior to
submitting a COSA request. COSA requests will
not be processed until the student has completed
the residency verification and enrollment process at
the home school.
When do I apply?
COSA applications for the 2023–2024 school year
are to be submitted between the first school day
in February 2023 and the first school day in April
2023.We will make every effort to notify parents/
guardians and students of the decision regarding
their COSA request by May 26, 2023. COSA
requests submitted after the first school day in
April will be accepted only if the student is a new
resident of Montgomery County or there is an
emergency event that could not be foreseen prior
to April. Documentation supporting this situation
must be supplied. Students awaiting a decision on
a COSA must attend their assigned school until a
final decision is made.
What documentation do I need to submit with my
request for a COSA?
It will depend on your individual situation;
however, the documents must represent facts
that can be independently verified. Examples
include financial records, letters from health-care
professionals, and letters from employers. In
the absence of such documentation, evidence of
such extenuating circumstances may be obtained
through consultation with school staff.
What is a unique hardship?
A unique hardship depends on the family’s
individual and personal situation. Problems that
are common to large numbers of families, such
as issues involving day care or program/course
preference, do not constitute a hardship, unless
there are other compelling factors. Documentation
that can be independently verified must accompany
all hardship requests, or the request will be denied.
In the absence of such documentation, evidence of
such extenuating circumstances may be obtained
through consultation with school staff. Examples of
such unique hardships include, but are not limited
to, the following:
CHILD CARE:
Parents/guardians must
demonstrate extenuating circumstances in
obtaining age-appropriate supervision of
school-age students before-and/or after-school
because: (a) their work hours extend significantly
beyond the typical hours for available child
care programs and activities located within the
home school or otherwise easily accessible child
care programs; and/or (b) significant financial
constraints limit the family’s ability to otherwise
access child care, or other student specified
needs. The extenuating circumstances must be
extremely significant for students beyond the
elementary level.
WHEN THERE ARE EXTENUATING
CIRCUMSTANCES
involving the physical, mental,
or emotional well-being of the student. Parents/
guardians seeking COSAs for this reason should
provide documentation of: (a) ongoing treatment
by a health care provider of issues related to the
student’s physical, mental, or emotional well-
being that are directly related to or significantly
impacted by the school environment; and/
or (b) a significant health issue with unique
care requirements (e.g., frequent medical
appointments far from the student’s home school
and/or the parent’s/guardian’s work location).
What if my child is receiving special education
services that are not offered in all schools?
If your student’s Individualized Education Program
(IEP) requires them to receive special education
services that are not offered in all schools, then you
should complete the COSA form, indicating that
the student receives special education services in
a specialized program, in addition to submitting
appropriate documentation indicating the reason
for the COSA request. Decisions regarding
requests for students receiving special education
services that are not available in all schools will be
made after July 1. For more information, please
contact the Department of Special Education
Services at 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 230,
Rockville, Maryland 20850 at 240-740-3900.
Are students of MCPS staff members automatically
approved for a COSA?
No. However, consistent with MCPS strategic
priorities to encourage and support school-based
staff who work in Title I Schools, Innovative School
Year Calendar Schools, or Focus Schools, staff
based in any one of those schools may request a
transfer for their own child to attend the school in
which they work under the following conditions:
a. The staff member is assigned to work in
one of the above referenced schools for the
upcoming school year in a budgeted full-time
equivalent (FTE) position that is eligible for leave,
retirement, and health benefits coverage; and