Student Transfer and School Choice Information
Effective January 1, 2026
Purpose
Westside Consolidated School District is committed to providing families with clear, accessible information regarding transfer options available under Arkansas law. The guidelines below outline the application periods and procedures for Public School Choice Transfers (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-1901 et seq.) and Board-to-Board Transfers (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-316).
Transfer Application Windows
1. Public School Choice Transfer Window — January 1 to June 1
Westside Consolidated School District will accept Public School Choice applications from January 1 through June 1 each year.
Key Points:
Applications must be submitted to both the student’s resident district and Westside Consolidated School District during this period.
This extended timeline allows families to apply early. Once an application is approved and all enrollment steps are completed, students may begin attending Westside immediately.
Students accepted through School Choice may remain enrolled in Westside Consolidated School District through graduation as long as they remain in good standing and follow all district policies.
Applications may be denied if student capacity has been reached, based on limits set by the Westside Board of Education and state regulations.
2.Board-to-Board Transfer Window — June 2 to December 31
When the School Choice window closes, families may apply for a transfer under Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-316 from June 2 through December 31.
Key Points:
These petitions must be approved by both the resident district and Westside Consolidated School District.
Students accepted through this process may be reviewed every four (4) years to ensure they continue to meet district expectations and capacity requirements.
Applications may be denied if capacity limits established by the Westside Board of Education or state guidelines have been reached.
Additional Information
All transfer approvals depend on available space within the district.
Families are responsible for providing student transportation unless otherwise stated in district policy.
Westside Consolidated School District will publish transfer deadlines each year as required by the Arkansas Department of Education.
About School Choice
Families who reside outside the boundaries of Westside Consolidated School District may apply for their child to attend Westside schools under the Arkansas Public School Choice Act.
The Public School Choice Act of 2015 (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-1903) allows students in grades K–12 to attend a school district other than their resident district, subject to state limitations and the Arkansas Department of Education’s Rules Governing Public School Choice.
Definitions (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-1902)
Resident District: The school district where the student legally resides (§ 6-18-202).
Nonresident District: A district other than the student’s resident district.
How to Apply for School Choice
Families interested in applying for School Choice to attend Westside Consolidated School District must submit a completed School Choice Application no later than June 1 for consideration for the upcoming fall semester.
Application Review Timeline
By July 1, Westside Consolidated School District (as the nonresident district) will notify both the parent/guardian and the resident district in writing whether the application has been accepted or denied.
Submitting a School Choice Application
School Choice Applications may be submitted using any of the following methods:
Email: dpassmore@westsideschools.org
Fax: 870-935-2123
Mail: 1630 Highway 91 West, Jonesboro, AR 72404
In Person: Deliver to Dawn Passmore at the Westside Superintendent's Office
Prospective student-athletes (grades 7–12):
Please contact Coach Mark Whitmire at 870-935-7501 for important information regarding Arkansas Activities Association eligibility and transfer guidelines.
Transfer Forms (Legal Transfers)
For families requesting a transfer into or out of Westside Consolidated School District through the Board-to-Board transfer process, please complete the Legal Transfer Form.
Submitting a Legal Transfer Form
Forms may be submitted by:
Email: dpassmore@westsideschools.org
Fax: 870-935-2123
Mail: 1630 Highway 91 West, Jonesboro, AR 72404
In Person: Deliver to Dawn Passmore at the Westside Superintendent's Office
Prospective student-athletes (grades 7–12):
Please contact Coach Mark Whitmire at 870-935-7501 for additional guidelines related to athletic eligibility.