Student Transfers

The EMS ISD Board of Trustees made changes to the District's intradistrict and interdistrict transfer policies at their meeting on April 27, 2026. This page will be updated to reflect the changes prior to a new intradistrict transfer window opening in May 2026.

This page is for transfers for students who reside in the EMS ISD attendance boundary, or live outside of EMS ISD but are the child of an EMS ISD employee, an active member of the military, or an active duty peace officer (TEC §25.0344).

Families who do not meet the requirements above and live outside of the EMS ISD attendance boundary, and are interested in enrolling in EMS ISD, need to apply for admission through EMS ISD Limited Open Enrollment. For more information and to apply, visit www.emsisd.com/openenrollment. (This page will be live before the limited open enrollment window in May 2026.) 

General Transfer Information

EMS ISD has two designated timelines for each school year: one in the Fall and another in the Spring. Fall Semester of the 2026-2027 school year will be accepted February 9 - March 13, 2026. Spring 2027 Semester will be accepted October 5 - November 6, 2026. Parents and District employees must submit student transfer applications through the Family Access portal, to be considered. This process includes children who live outside of EMS ISD but are the child of an EMS employee, an active member of the military, or an active duty peace officer (TEC §25.0344).

The review process for transfer applications will be completed by the last week of April 2026, and notifications regarding transfer status (approval or denial) will be sent via email. Questions? Email EMStransfers@ems-isd.net. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• Pursuant to Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD Board Policy FD (LOCAL), and any corresponding administrative regulations), the parent, guardian, or other person having lawful control of the student under order of a court shall present proof of residency. The District may investigate stated residency, as necessary.
   
• The following intradistrict transfer information is pursuant to Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD Board Policies (FDA and FDB(LEGAL, LOCAL), and any corresponding administrative regulations):
   
  • A student shall be assigned to a school located in the attendance area/zone in which the student resides (zoned campus). A parent/guardian who wishes for their child(ren) to attend a different school other than the school assigned, shall submit a transfer application via the Family Access portal during the designated transfer timelines.
  • Participation in UIL activities shall be in accordance with all applicable UIL regulations and applicable District policies FDA and FDB (LEGAL and LOCAL) and the corresponding administrative regulations. The District reserves the authority to enact stricter rules and requirements than that of the UIL.
  • All high school students shall only participate in a high school athletic program on their zoned campus, except as outlined in Federal Law, State Law, a Court Order, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and other applicable District policies.
• The District's approval of a transfer application is only valid for the specific campus requested. This approval does not guarantee admission to any feeder pattern campuses and does not create an expectation or a right that the student will be granted an approved transfer in future school years.
   
• District high school students who have received an approved transfer to attend another District high school must follow UIL rules to participate in the athletic programs at the transfer campus.
   
• Students of nonresident District employees who currently attend EMS ISD on an approved transfer must submit a new transfer application and sign a transfer agreement each school year. Please note approved transfers for nonresident District employees are valid for one school year only. New transfer applications and agreements for nonresident District employee students can be submitted during the Spring Semester transfer window for the upcoming school year.
   
• District transportation will not be provided for any students on an approved transfer, except as required by federal law.
   
• Approved transfer request may be revoked for excessive disciplinary history, excessive tardiness, excessive attendance issues, or violations of the transfer agreement. The transfer request will be terminated if the student is withdrawn from the receiving campus for any reason, including DAEP/JJAEP Placements.
   
• In reviewing each submitted transfer application, the following factors will be considered:
  • Current and projected campus enrollment counts;
  • The student’s disciplinary history, including DAEP/JJAEP Placements;
  • The student’s attendance record, including tardiness, and any lapse in student enrollment;
  • Facility/building capacity/space;
  • The order in which the transfer application was received;
  • Mandatory class-size ratios and current class sizes;
  • Current and projected staffing allocations;
  • Violations of the transfer agreement, if applicable;
  • A documented serious health condition of a child;
  • Being a documented victim of a physical assault, violent crime, or bullying as defined by Board Policy FFI (LEGAL and LOCAL);
  • Documented, unresolved student conflicts that cannot be addressed at the home campus;
  • Prior student transfer application revocations or parent rescinded transfer applications