The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Law of 2007 affords parents of students who receive special education services the choice to transfer their child to another public or private school in Georgia.

You may apply to transfer to another public school within the Paulding County School District.  Your application will be evaluated based upon availability of space and/or the ability to implement the student’s IEP as currently written (Grades 1–12). If your application is approved, you will be responsible for transporting your child to and from school. Transportation is not provided. The student will be allowed to complete all grades at that school.  For example, if a student is granted a transfer request to a middle school that serves grades 6-8, the transfer request would apply to the student’s attendance through grade 8. If you wish to apply for school choice at the next school level, another application will need to be filed.

If you choose to transfer to a school outside of the Paulding County School District, please contact the desired school system for information and their application deadlines.

You may also apply to transfer to one of the State schools for the deaf and/or blind operated by the State Board of Education. Acceptance will depend on whether this setting is appropriate for your child’s needs. Transportation is not provided. Please visit the Georgia Department of Education’s website for more information.

If you are interested in transferring your child to a private school in Georgia, you may be able to take advantage of a Georgia Special Needs Scholarship. These scholarships provide funding that can be used to offset tuition costs at participating private schools in the state of Georgia. For more information on the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship and the application process, please visit the Georgia Department of Education’s website.