You can enroll in school 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 and California state law if you live:
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 electricity, 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:
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, please contact:
Purpose:"...to ensure that (homeless) children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high quality education and reach proficiency on challenging state academic standards and state academic assessments." DS Sec. 1001
