School Waiver Requests: Out of Neighborhood & Out of District
Requesting an Out-of-Neighborhood or Out-of-District Placement
The Portland Public Schools is committed to providing an exceptional experience at every neighborhood school. While your child will typically attend their neighborhood school, there are options if you need a different placement:
Attend a school outside your neighborhood: Your child may be eligible depending on space and other requirements.
Enroll from another district: Some families can attend the Portland Public Schools even if they live elsewhere.
About Out-of-Neighborhood (OON) Waiver Requests
If you want your child to attend a Portland school other than the one they were assigned to, you will need to complete the OON Request Form. Our enrollment team and the Assistant Superintendents will review your application and make a determination based on the information you provide and the criteria outlined in School Board Policy JFB: Educational Options.
Our goal in having criteria for eligibility is to balance the value of neighborhood schools, family choice, and impact on school demographics.
Out-of-Neighborhood (OON) requests are approved only when there is space at the requested school, and the child meets at least one of the following district criteria:
- The student is the child of a permanent staff member at the assigned or requested school.
- The student is a sibling of a student already enrolled at the requested school
- The student has documented evidence of harassment and/or a significant conflict at the assigned school
- The student is the child of a permanent PPS staff member
Once you submit the form, you will receive a copy of your responses for your records.
OON Waiver Requests Submission Timeline
The request form for the upcoming school year opens on February 23, 2026.
Kindergarten OON Requests
- Initial deadline to request an OON placement for kindergarten: July 31, 2026.
- Families who submit by July 31 will be notified by August 14, 2026.
- Requests received after July 31 will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
1st–8th Grade OON Requests
- Initial deadline to request an OON placement for grades 1-8: May 15, 2026.
- Families who submit by May 15 will be notified by May 29, 2026.
- Requests received after May 15 will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
About Out of District Waiver Requests
Out of District Waivers are for students who:
- Live outside Portland and want to attend Portland Public Schools,
- Live in Portland and want to attend a public school outside of Portland.
In order to receive an Out of District Waiver, the superintendents of both school districts must agree to allow the student to transfer. Then, the state Commissioner must be notified by both superintendents.
According to Maine State Law, two superintendents may approve the transfer of a student from one school administrative unit to another if: “(1) They find that a transfer is in the student’s best interest; and (2) the student’s parent/guardian approves” (Title 20-A MRSA §5205(6)).
