SC Third Option Participants

Withdrawing From Another School FAQs

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Withdrawal Procedures FAQs

You’re withdrawing from another school. Let’s talk about the procedures to help smooth the transition.
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If your student was not ever registered in another school, then you do not need to contact them. They will be very confused if you stop by to say you’re new here, but you’re not going to register there. The school only needs to know if the student is on their attendance roster–so they can remove the student from compulsory attendance then.
Renewing/continuing members who are adding another student to your membership account. If you have already been a member with SC TOP, you can add another child when you renew for the coming school year.
  • You register as a continuing/renewing member with the students you already have registered.
  • Add the new student on to your membership application. Click where it says you’re withdrawing from another school.
  • Include a comment–which student is new and the school you’re withdrawing from.

Add a student to your current membership account mid-year, submit the membership update form. 

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Do I register with SC TOP first, then notify the school or notify the school first, then register with SC TOP?

Either way works. When we process your membership, you’ll automatically get a withdrawal letter and instructions about it. We leave the timeline up to you for notifying the school.

Withdrawing process is two parts:

  1. You as the parent have to tell the school you’re not returning. They will automatically have the student on the rosters to return in the Fall again and will continue marking your student absent. If you’re transferring mid-year, you need to return all books/materials to the school.
  2. The school also needs verification from the next school where you have registered. You are also designated at the school official. So, the letter is a verification you’re officially enrolled.

You can carry the letter with you to do both parts at the same time. If you have already done Part 1 as the parent, then you can let us know to send the notice to the school on your behalf. We leave that timing and responsibility up to you.

  • Some people preregister mid-year, while the student is finishing out the week or so. It would cause confusion if we were to notify the school that the student has withdrawn, while they’re still sitting in class.
  • Some people have to make urgent decisions to withdraw immediately. It could be difficult to return again with the verification letter afterwards.

Either way works. We recommend registering with SC TOP first, then notifying the school. That way you are equipped with all the information you need to facilitate a smooth transition.

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What records does the school release–and when? 

The enrollment verification letter is also a records request. Some schools are very concerned about where to send the records, so the student can be placed in classes. We really don’t need any of that information, except for high school credits/transcripts.

  • The school records are primarily information you have already seen or know about your child’s progress.
  • The letter states that the school is to release the records to you, the parent. It also provides contact information for them to release the records to SC TOP.

The school may or may not release any records though. So, please don’t keep after them about it. If there’s something specific that you need, SC TOP can facilitate the request. Especially if it’s testing, IEPs, behavior reports, etc.

We do want to get the high school transcript, if you don’t have a copy. The records should not incur any fees to be released to the next school.

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What if the school won’t take the letter from me, as the official school representative? 

Sometimes the school official will not accept the verification letter from the parent. Just take their contact information (email or fax number) and let us know, so we can send the letter on your behalf.

Sometimes the school will take the letter from you, and still turn around and send us a request for us to send the letter to them. We know that it’s a repeat request, because they use the contact email that is only listed on that letter to ask for the same letter that they’re holding in their hand.
Every school is a different and it also can vary between staff in the same school. There’s no set procedure they all follow. Sometimes, the school officials call later in the Fall or even the next school year to verify where the student went so they can claim transfer instead of dropout.
We try to make it as smooth as possible so you have the most agency over the process. Then, we’re here to assist and advocate if necessary.

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