Medical and Family Hardship Appeals
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 wait pool run. If space is available, the student will be offered a spot at their requested school.
After Round 2, the appeal submission window was May 27 to June 14, 2024. The 2024-25 Medical/Family Hardship Appeals Form has now closed. For appeals that were submitted before the deadline, results will be sent the week of August 12, 2024. If you have additional documentation to include with your request, please email it to enrollinschool@sfusd.edu with subject line "Additional appeal documentation".
A Wait Pool Application Form (either online or using a paper form for families who applied during the Main Round and/or Round 2) must be submitted in order for your online appeal form to be processed or considered. Your Appeal school should be the only choice on your Wait Pool Application.
Incomplete Appeals Forms will not be accepted or considered.
Required Documentation
Medical Appeal
Students with a serious medical condition that cannot be accommodated at the assigned school can file a medical appeal. Granted medical appeals receive the highest priority in the Wait Pool run.
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
- A completed Wait Pool Application 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.
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. Granted family hardship appeals receive the second-highest priority in the Wait Pool run, behind only medical appeals.
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 Appeal for that school only.
- A completed Appeals Form
- A completed Wait Pool Application 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
This page was last updated on June 17, 2024