Student Transfers

Noble Public Schools · Enrollment

Transferring Into Noble Public Schools

Oklahoma's open transfer law lets a family apply to attend a district they do not live in. Noble accepts transfer applications year-round, reviews them in the order they arrive, and posts how many seats are open at each grade level four times a year.

Seats Available for Transfer Students

By the first day of January, April, July and October, the Board of Education sets the number of transfer students Noble can accept at each grade level, and the district reports those numbers to the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Because every Noble school serves specific grades, the grade level and the school site are the same thing here.

Capacity is reset at the board meetings nearest January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. Agendas, meeting notices and the capacity figures presented at each meeting are available through the board meeting portal, and the Board of Education page explains how to attend or ask to be heard.

How the numbers are set: state law directs the Board to take the class size limits in 70 O.S. §18-113.1 and multiply them by the number of classroom teachers at each grade level. Where a classroom is too small to hold that number, capacity is reduced to fit the room.

How to Apply

Applications for the next school year are accepted beginning January 1. A transfer may be requested at any time during the school year.

1. Fill out one application per student

   A separate application is required for each child, including siblings, so that each one can be considered in the order it was received. Download the application above, or pick one up at the district administration office, 111 S. 4th St.

2. Return it to the administration office

   Every application is dated and time-stamped when it arrives. That stamp is what determines your place in line if more families apply than there are seats.

3. Wait for the district's decision

   Applications for the next school year are not approved or denied until after the July 1 capacity numbers are set, unless the denial is for discipline or attendance. Mid-year transfer requests are acted on within four business days.

4. If the grade is full, you go on the waitlist

   Noble keeps a waitlist with the same date and time stamp, and admits students from it in order as space opens.

5. Once approved, you do not reapply

   An approved transfer carries forward automatically each year, with only the grade level updated. The district will notify you if a transfer will not be continued.

How Decisions Are Made

Noble will not accept or deny a transfer based on ethnicity, national origin, gender, income level, disabling condition, proficiency in the English language, measure of achievement, aptitude or athletic ability. Under policy FE there are only three grounds for denial.

Special Situations

• Military families. Dependent children of active-duty uniformed service members, and of reservists on active-duty orders, are admitted regardless of capacity. One parent must hold a Department of Defense identification card, or show evidence of active-duty status or orders for more than thirty consecutive days.
• Children of Noble teachers. Under policy FEF, children and wards of individuals employed by the district as teachers transfer in without regard to the other transfer policies. State law defines "teacher" to include certified teachers, nurses, librarians, counselors and administrators. It does not extend this to support employees.
• Students in foster care. A child in DHS custody living in the home of a student who has transferred may transfer to Noble regardless of capacity. See School Stability for Students in Foster Care.
• Siblings. A brother or sister of a transferred student may attend Noble as long as the grade level has capacity and the sibling is not disqualified for discipline or attendance. Siblings receive no priority in the order of applications, and each needs their own application.
• Students on an IEP. Noble establishes that the appropriate program, staff and services are available before approving the transfer, and a joint IEP conference is held between the resident district and Noble. Once approved, Noble assumes responsibility for the student's education. A transfer granted for three consecutive years to the same district renews automatically.
• Athletic eligibility. A transferring student is not eligible for OSSAA extramural athletic competition for one year from the first day of attendance, unless transferring from a district that does not offer their grade level, or unless OSSAA approves a hardship application. Sub-varsity competition is allowed for children of teachers under policy FEF.
• Transportation. Busing is not required and is not provided for a student transferring into or out of Noble Public Schools.

If Your Transfer Is Denied

1. Appeal to the Board within ten days

   You have ten days from the notice of denial to appeal to the Noble Board of Education.

2. The Board hears it at its next regular meeting

   If your notice arrives before the deadline for posting that meeting's agenda. Otherwise the Board calls a special meeting.

3. It is a paper appeal

   The Board reviews the district's written documentation and your written response explaining why policy was not followed. Student records are reviewed in executive session to protect privacy; the vote itself is taken in the public meeting. The Board's only question is whether district policy was followed. If it was not, the Board votes to overturn the denial and the transfer is granted.

4. You may appeal further to the state

   If the Board upholds the denial, you have ten days from that notice to appeal to the Oklahoma State Board of Education, on the form the State Board prescribes, sending notice to both the State Board and the Noble superintendent.

Common Questions

Who to Ask

Policies and Forms

• Policy FE — Student Transfers (PDF) The full board policy, including capacity, grounds for denial, and the appeal process.
• Policy FEF — Student Transfers for Children of Teachers (PDF)
• Student Open Transfer Application (PDF)
• Student Transfer FAQs (PDF)
• Welcome Transfer Letter (PDF)
• Board Class Size Limits sheet, Semester 2 2024–25 (PDF) The worksheet behind the capacity figures, as presented to the Board.
• Policy FD — Student Residency (PDF) For families who live in the Noble district and are enrolling, rather than transferring.