Admissions

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The Atlanta Public Schools (APS) shall serve all eligible K-12 students residing with their parent(s) or court-approved legal guardian(s) in the city of Atlanta. In all cases where the question of interpretation of the law relative to residence is involved, the final decision shall rest with the Superintendent. Students must meet enrollment and age requirements as defined in state law.

Children of APS Employees

The children of regular, full time employees of the Atlanta Public Schools who do not reside in the city of Atlanta shall be treated as residents for the purpose of admission to Atlanta Public Schools in grades K-12. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §20-2-293(b), school-based employees may enroll their children at their worksites. This enrollment at the worksite does not guarantee children of employees a general administrative transfer throughout the Cluster. Other enrollments of employees’ children shall follow the student transfer process( See policy JBCCA Student Assignment to Schools).  All transfer conditions and procedures apply to employees who request a school other than their worksite. Children of regular, full time employees of APS who do not reside in the city of Atlanta are eligible for admission to an APS Pre-K program only through the Georgia Pre-K lottery.

Non-resident Students

Non-resident students may be admitted to Atlanta Public Schools upon the payment of tuition provided that entrance of such children into classes does not take the seat of a resident student. Non-resident tuition rates shall be set annually by the board and be based on the average educational cost of a student minus funds that are received from the state. The cost of specialized programs, such as special education, shall also be assessed. A non-resident child shall not be admitted until the tuition for the ensuing semester has been paid. Non-resident students are not generally eligible for enrollment in the Georgia Pre-K program offered at Atlanta Public Schools. However, the children of regular, full time employees of APS who do not reside in the city of Atlanta are eligible for admission to an APS Pre-K program though the Georgia Pre-K lottery.

Enrollment

Eligible unemancipated minor students shall be enrolled in schools by their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Persons in control or charge of students who do not have legal guardianship may conditionally enroll students. Adult students and emancipated minors may enroll themselves. Emancipated minors must present a certified copy of the legal documents granting emancipation.

Transferring Credits

Pursuant to State Board of Education Rule 160-5-1-.15, Awarding Units of Credit and Acceptance of Transfer Credit and/or Grades and administrative regulations set forth by the Superintendent, APS accepts transfer credit and/or grades for elementary, middle, and high school students who transfer from schools outside the Atlanta Public Schools. Grades issued in an unaccredited school or home study setting will be recorded as Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U). No numeric or letter grades will be recorded.

Exchange Students

The Atlanta Board of Education authorizes the admission of foreign exchange students from district-approved exchange programs to the Atlanta Public Schools for up to  one year of study on a tuition-free basis in the designated school.

Home Study and Resident Students Enrolled in Other Districts

The Atlanta Board of Education (ABE) supports student success and school choice by recognizing parent/legal guardians’ right to implement home study programs. Parents/legal guardians residing within the city of Atlanta who wish to use home study programs shall comply with all state laws and state board of education rules regarding compulsory school attendance and home study programs. When a parent exercises the option for home study, the parent does not receive any assistance or materials from the Atlanta Public Schools.  

Home study students may participate in interscholastic athletic and extracurricular activities at their zoned middle or high school. In order to be eligible for participation, home study students must enroll in and attempt to complete one qualifying course as defined in state law for each semester of participation.

The Atlanta Board of Education herein provides for the purchase of instructional services from other school systems for resident students in good standing only when circumstances prevail that justify the expenditure. A student residing in the City of Atlanta who elects to attend a school in another system for reasons of personal convenience or preference must assume the tuition charges involved.

Dual Language Immersion Schools

Schools offering the dual language immersion (DLI) program must provide priority admission to K-12 students who reside within the school’s attendance zone. For the purpose of curricular continuity, elementary schools offering the DLI program may require that Pre-K students enrolled in the DLI program  at the school reside first, within that school’s attendance zone, and then within the attendance zone of an APS DLI program school.

The Board authorizes the Superintendent to issue administrative regulations to implement this policy.

Last Revised:    9/7/2021

Revised:  6/4/2012, 8/12/2013, 10/7/2019

First Adopted:  6/16/2008

Policy Contact

Cory Edwards

Student Assignment & Records

(404) 802-2232

ceedwards@atlanta.k12.ga.us