Destination Mansfield: Out-of-District Transfers

The image features a group of diverse individuals, including a young girl, a middle-aged woman, a man, and a young woman, all standing in front of an open doorway against a bright blue sky background. The text overlay announces the opening of a school district transfer application.

Join Us in Mansfield ISD (even if you live outside our boundaries)

Mansfield ISD has opened its doors to students who live outside the district’s boundaries. Families who reside in other school districts—including those families whose children currently attend private, charter or home schools—may apply to enroll their children in grades K-12 for the 2026-27 school year.

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Out-of-District Transfer Process

Mansfield Independent School District (MISD) offers the Destination Mansfield out-of-district transfer program for select campuses, grades K-12. This program allows students from outside the district to apply for enrollment based on specific eligibility criteria. Below are the guidelines and requirements for the transfer process.

Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the out-of-district transfer program:

Texas Residency

Overall Attendance

Behavior and Conduct

The student must not:

have a disciplinary assignment from the previous or current year resulting in:
- in-school suspension (ISS)
- out-of-school suspension (OSS)
- disciplinary alternative education placement (DAEP)
- juvenile justice alternative education placement (JJAEP)
have an arrest, charge or conviction of a criminal offense
be currently on probation or other conditional release

Academic Progress

The student must demonstrate appropriate academic progress, as evidenced by:

High School (9-12)
- Passing all classes from previous year and current report card
- STAAR and EOC - Approaches, Meets, or Masters
- On track to graduate with cohort by credits
Intermediate & Middle (5-8)
- Passing all classes from previous year and current report card
- STAAR - Approaches, Meets, or Masters
Elementary (K-4)
- Kindergarten Readiness Screener
- mCLASS (K-2nd) or MAP (3rd)
- Passing all classes from previous year and current report card
- STAAR- Approaches, Meets, or Masters (4 Grade)

District Capacity

Campus Capacity

The Destination Mansfield out-of-district transfer program is available for select campuses in the district that have available space. The following schools are not able to accept out-of-district transfer requests at this time as they currently exceed capacity restrictions for the program.

Lake Ridge High School
Mansfield High School
Charlene McKinzey Middle School
Alma Martinez Intermediate School
Norwood Elementary School

All other MISD schools are open to out-of-district transfers.

Application Process

Applications for the Destination Mansfield out-of-district transfer program will open Dec. 1 and close Feb. 1. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received; however, priority is given to students who reside within MISD and students with a parent who works full time for MISD.

Applicants must submit all required documentation in order for their application to be processed. All required documents must be submitted within the timeline provided by the district to avoid a potential denial of the transfer request.

Required Documentation

Choice Programs

Transportation

Parents/guardians whose Destination Mansfield out-of-district transfer request is approved will be responsible for providing transportation to and from the approved campus.

Mansfield ISD will not provide transportation for out-of-district transfers.
Parents must ensure the student is delivered and picked up on time from the assigned campus and/or activities.
Requesting and accepting a transfer constitutes an assurance from the parent/guardian that they will provide safe and timely transportation.
A transfer may be revoked if the parent/guardian fails to provide safe and timely transportation.

Important Notes

Ensure that all required documents are submitted promptly to meet the eligibility requirements. (attendance record, discipline record, report card, special programs documentation if applicable IEP, 504, LPAC, GT acceptance documentation, etc.) 
Parents/guardians must take responsibility for all aspects of transportation as outlined above.
Failure to abide by the conditions set in the eligibility criteria may result in revocation of the out-of-district transfer at semester or the end of the school year.

Out-of-District Transfer FAQs

What is an out-of-district transfer?

Why is MISD opening its doors to students who live outside the district?

Several factors led Mansfield ISD to explore the option of accepting inter-district transfers. Mansfield ISD offers an exceptional public school educational experience with a high standard of excellence. By opening our doors through a limited open enrollment plan, we aim to fill available seats in our schools with students who will maintain the high standard of excellence MISD has established. In addition, public schools in Texas are facing a funding crisis. The state legislature has failed to address the effects of inflation by refusing to provide significant funding increases to the basic allotment. Additional students will bring additional revenue to the district, which will help MISD maintain its outstanding programs, retain its staff members, and preserve its facilities.

How did MISD select the campuses that will accept out-of-district transfers?

Nearly every MISD campus has available space to serve additional students; however, we do not want to overburden our staff or create situations that would prevent us from continuing to offer the best opportunities for the students who reside within the boundaries of MISD. To maintain the high level of service we provide and allow for new students moving into the district, intermediate and middle schools at more than 80% capacity will not accept out-of-district transfers. High schools at 90% capacity will be closed to out-of-district transfers. Elementary campuses will be evaluated on additional criteria.

Will accepting out-of-district transfer students into MISD bring in additional revenue for the district?

Will out-of-district transfer students get to choose which MISD school they attend if accepted?

The transfer application allows applicants to indicate one or more campuses where they would prefer to enroll. If an out-of-district transfer applicant meets the criteria set by the district and the application is approved, Student Services will consider the applicant’s preferences when determining where the student may enroll. An approved student may only enroll in a specific MISD school where space and staffing at his or her grade level are available.

Will out-of-district transfer students take away Choice opportunities for Mansfield ISD students who live in the district?

Under the transfer guidelines approved in November of 2025, out-of-district transfer students are eligible to enroll in an MISD Choice program if space is available. Priority will be given to students who already reside within the boundaries of MISD. Applicants must meet the out-of-district transfer requirements before they can be considered for an MISD Choice program.

Will out-of-district transfer students need to re-apply each year?

If you have any questions or need further information regarding the Out-of-District transfer process, please contact the Mansfield ISD Student Services Office at 817-299-6360.

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