Medical and Family Hardship Appeals Link to this section
Families who cannot attend their assigned school due to unique hardships such as medical or family situations may file for an Appeal. Appeals are considered only for cases where the student’s needs cannot be met at the assigned school. An independent appeals committee is convened and reviews cases. Decisions made by the appeals committee are final, and cannot be further appealed.
Approved appeals are granted for one school only, and cannot be used for placement into multiple schools. Approved cases are given the highest tiebreakers in the waitlist. If space is available, the student will be placed and the family will be notified.
Appeals may be submitted between March 17 and March 27 using the 2025-26 Medical/Family Hardship Appeals Form. The Appeal is an online form only. All required documentation (see below) must be ready for uploading when you complete the form.
Incomplete Appeals Forms will not be accepted or considered.
If you are unable to access the online form, please contact the Enrollment Center for assistance.
Your student must be on the waitlist for your appeal school in order for your online appeal to be considered. You can check to ensure that your student is on the waitlist at this school on ParentVue (see instructions at sfusd.edu/waitlist). If your student is not yet on the waitlist for your appeal school, please add them to the waitlist online or using this paper form for families who applied during the Main Round.
Required Documentation
Link to this section
Medical Appeal
Students with a serious medical condition that cannot be accommodated at the assigned school can file a medical appeal.
Medical appeals must be related only to a student’s medical condition and not those of parents or other family members. Problems that are common to large numbers of students—such as motion sickness or asthma—do not constitute a medical hardship.
- A completed Appeals Form
- Medical Provider’s Verification that contains documentation by a licensed physician of the student’s current, existing medical condition and special need(s). This must include specific information regarding necessary conditions, programs and restrictions that impact the student’s ability to attend their assigned school.
Remember that your student must be on the waitlist for your appeal school.
Family Hardship Appeal
Parents/guardians may file a Family Hardship Appeal if they can demonstrate that they have a unique hardship that cannot be met at the assigned school.
Such hardships may be the result of a unique family situation. Extenuating circumstances can be considered only for family members living in the same house as the student. Problems that are common to large numbers of families do not constitute a unique family hardship.
The Appeals Committee will not consider appeals solely based on issues such as transportation, proximity, convenience, or curricular program offerings at schools.
Permanent, full-time site based district staff who live in San Francisco and who wish to have their child attend the school where they currently work may submit and be granted an approval.
- A completed Appeals Form
- If the family hardship is based on a medical condition of a parent/guardian, Medical Provider’s Verification that contains documentation by a licensed physician
- One proof of address for all parties mentioned as part of the Family Hardship Appeal. Any of the following documents are acceptable: utility bill dated within 45 days, auto insurance policy, homeowner’s/renter’s insurance policy, property tax statement, letter from a social services/governmental agency dated within 45 days. No Cell phone or bank statements accepted.
- All supporting documents or statements
Remember that your student must be on the waitlist for your appeal school.
This page was last updated on March 14, 2025