Families who recently moved to a new address within Katy ISD don't necessarily have to pull their child from a familiar campus. The district reminded parents Friday, Aug. 14, that its "Request to Remain" transfer process may allow students to stay enrolled at their current school even after a move crosses attendance zone lines.
The program is separate from the open enrollment initiative we reported Aug. 11, which opened 1,000 high school seats to students living outside the district. Request to Remain serves a different group: families already in Katy ISD who have relocated to a home zoned for a different campus.
The distinction matters.
Katy ISD assigns students using Land Use Zones, small geographic units that can differ from one block to the next, according to a 2026 parent guide published by Elyson. A family that moves even a short distance may land in a different zone, triggering a campus reassignment they didn't expect.
Who qualifies
Eligibility depends on grade level, campus capacity, board policy and annual approval requirements, the district said in an Instagram post accompanying the announcement. The district did not publish a specific application deadline but directed families to review requirements and apply online at katyisd.org/student-transfers/home.
One timing detail worth noting: according to the district's registration page, transfer requests are not required if a family's move occurs between the first day of school and Sept. 1. For moves outside that window, a formal transfer is required to stay at the current campus.
Why it matters now
The reminder lands as the 2026-27 school year begins, when families who moved over the summer may not yet realize their new address puts them in a different attendance zone. Katy ISD serves more than 95,000 students across over 70 campuses, and the district has shown it enforces residency rules. In July, a residency verification at a Katy High School student's home drew public scrutiny, underscoring that families who haven't updated their enrollment status could face questions.
The Katy ISD Board of Trustees holds a work study session Monday, Aug. 17. Families seeking more information on the Request to Remain process can visit the district's student transfers page.
