Charleston, WV — More than 7,500 public school students in West Virginia have opted to switch schools during the 2023-24 academic year, leveraging expanded legislative measures that enhance educational and athletic transfer opportunities across the state. These transfers, allowed both within and between county lines, reflect a growing trend as families and students seek schools that better meet their specific needs.
The state’s policy changes have significantly facilitated the process of school transfers. As reported by the West Virginia Department of Education, 6,135 students moved to different schools within their own counties, while another 1,425 took the opportunity to enroll in schools outside their home counties. This freedom has opened new doors for students seeking particular programs or more convenient locations relative to their parents’ workplaces.
Elementary students constitute the majority of these transfers. Many parents have indicated that their decisions were heavily influenced by the availability of aftercare programs and the proximity of schools to their places of employment. Sonya White, deputy superintendent of the West Virginia Department of Education, explained in a recent legislative session that these choices are largely driven by logistical concerns at the elementary level.
High school transfers, although less frequent, were often motivated by sports. The 2023 state law allows high school athletes to switch schools once during their high school tenure without needing to relocate. This law has been linked with uneven competition and heightened risks of injuries in sports, stirring some controversy. In the last year alone, the number of athletes transferring schools tripled, totaling 432.
The impact on state aid funding varies based on the nature of the transfer. Intra-county transfers generally do not affect funding unless a student is moving from a traditional public school to a public charter school.
Cabell County Schools reported the highest number of transfers, with 788 students switching within the county and 136 students moving to schools outside of the county. Keith Thomas, the district’s director of health, wellness, and student support services, noted that accessibility to after-school care and parental employment locations are significant factors driving these decisions.
The state has also observed transfers connected to special education needs. For example, in Lewis County, a parent named Samantha Ribeiro Matos moved her two children, who require special education, between three different schools over three years to find the best educational setting. This highlights another dimension where school choice serves as a critical tool for parents advocating for the best resources for their children.
Despite the overall accessibility, some barriers remain. While legal grounds for denying a transfer request are limited — mainly due to class size or behavioral issues — there were 483 denied transfer requests last year, most of which were within the same county.
Recent legislative changes have encouraged a broader scope of open enrollment policies. The West Virginia legislature, driven by a push for greater school choice, has expanded conditions under which students can apply for transfers to any school with capacity within their school district and between counties without needing prior approval.
Critics and advocates alike have scrutinized the implementation and outcomes of these policies. Jason Huffman, state director of Americans For Prosperity, highlighted inconsistencies in county-level enforcement and expressed concerns that some denials were based on criteria not permitted by state law, such as academic performance or parental conduct.
As this dynamic landscape of school choice continues to evolve, both challenges and opportunities emerge, underscoring the delicate balance between individual student needs and systemic educational standards.