The voluntary Majority to Minority transfer option currently in place at Booker T. Washington, Elephant’s Fork Elementary, Mack Benn, Jr. and Southwestern Elementary Schools will continue for the 2024-25 school year.

Because of a long-standing federal court order requiring desegregation of Suffolk Public Schools, the U.S. Department of Justice was required to review and approve the zoning plan.  The district can further desegregation by adopting a voluntary Majority to Minority transfer option at Southwestern, Booker T. Washington, Mack Benn, Jr., and Elephant’s Fork Elementary Schools. 

Program information is made available upon request through your child's principal. 

Here are a few facts about the voluntary Majority to Minority transfer option:

• A majority is defined by the largest percentage of students by race. For example, a school with 60 percent white students would be considered a “majority white” school, and a school with 60 percent black students would be considered a “majority black” school.

• Students attending the majority of school will be allowed the opportunity to attend a school where they will be in the minority.

• For example, black students assigned to Booker T. Washington, Mack Benn, Jr., or Elephant’s Fork Elementary will be given the opportunity to attend Southwestern Elementary, and white students assigned to Southwestern Elementary will be given the opportunity to attend Booker T. Washington, Mack Benn, Jr., or Elephant’s Fork Elementary.

•  The division will make space available at Southwestern, Booker T. Washington, Mack Benn, Jr., and Elephant’s Fork Elementary Schools for students who choose to participate in the voluntary Majority to Minority transfer.

• The division will provide free transportation and ensure reasonable travel time on a school bus for those students participating in the voluntary Majority to Minority transfer option.

• Students will be allowed to complete their elementary education at the school they started under the Majority to Minority transfer option.

• Students who choose to attend Southwestern Elementary under the transfer option will be allowed to attend middle school at Forest Glen Middle School. Students who choose to attend Booker T. Washington, Mack Benn, Jr., or Elephant’s Fork Elementary under the transfer option will be allowed to attend middle school at John F. Kennedy Middle School. These students could also choose to attend the middle school, which they are zoned to attend.

• Siblings will be given preference in the event there is a waiting list.   

Questions may be directed to either your school principal or Dr. Stenette Byrd III, Chief of Schools, at 925-6760.