Homeless
Enroll A Homeless Student In School
if Your Family Lives in Any of the Following Situations:
In a shelter
In a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station
Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship
Your school-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.
Your eligible children have the right to:
Receive a free, appropriate public education.
Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference.
* If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.
Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children's needs.
If you believe your children may be eligible, contact the local liaison to find out what services and supports may be available. There also may be supports available for your preschool-age children.
If you need further assistance with your children's educational needs, contact the National Center for Homeless Education:
1-800-308-2145 * Email contact *The National Center for Homeless Education
Even if you have:
Uncertain housing
A temporary address
No permanent physical address
You are guaranteed enrollment in school by the federal McKinney-Vento Act
In a shelter (family, domestic violence, or youth shelter or transitional living program)
In a motel, hotel, or weekly rate housing
In a house or apartment with more than one family because of economic hardship or loss
In an abandoned building, in a car, at a campground, or on the street
In temporary foster care or with an adult who is not your parent or guardian
In substandard housing (without electrieity, water, or heat)
With friends or family because you are a runaway or an unaccompanied youth
To enroll in or attend school if you live under any of these conditions, you do NOT need to provide:
Proof of residency
Immunization records or tuberculosis skin-test results
School records
Legal guardianship papers
You may:
Participate fully in all school activities and programs for which you are eligible.
Continue to attend the school in which you were last enrolled even if you have moved away from that school's attendance zone or district.
Receive transportation from your current residence back to your school of origin.
Qualify automatically for child nutrition programs (free and reduced-price lunches and other district food programs).
Contact the district liaison to resolve any disputes that arise during the enrollment process.
Parents' responsibilities are to:
Make sure your child attends school regularly and completes homework and projects on time.
Attend parent/teacher conferences, Back-to-School Nights, and other school-related activities.
Stay informed of school rules, regulations, and activities.
Participate in school advisory/decision-making activities.
For questions about enrolling in school or for assistance with school enrollment, contact:
Your local school district liaison:
Eppie Calderon
575-433-0100
Your state coordinator for the homeless:
Dana Malone
575-827-1454