Resident Students

Only students who are residents of the District may attend a District school without a tuition charge, except as otherwise provided below or in State law. A student’s residence is the same as the person who has legal custody of the student. 

A person asserting legal custody over a student, who is not the child’s natural or adoptive parent, shall complete a signed statement, stating: (a) that he or she has assumed and exercises legal responsibility for the child, (b) the reason the child lives with him or her, other than to receive an education in the District, and (c) that he or she exercises full control over the child regarding daily educational and medical decisions in case of emergency. If the District knows the current address of the child's natural or adoptive parent, the District shall request in writing that the person complete a signed statement or affidavit stating: (a) the role and responsibility of the person with whom their child is living, and (b) that the person with whom the child is living has full control over the child regarding daily educational and medical decisions in case of emergency. 

A student whose family moves out of the District during the school year will be permitted to attend school for the remainder of the year without payment of tuition. 

When a student’s change of residence is due to the military service obligation of the student’s legal custodian, the student’s residence is deemed to be unchanged for the duration of the custodian’s military service obligation if the student’s custodian made a written request. The District, however, is not responsible for the student’s transportation to or from school. 

If, at the time of enrollment, a dependent child of military personnel is housed in temporary housing located outside of the District, but will be living within the District within six months after the time of initial enrollment, the child is allowed to enroll, subject to the requirements of State law, and must not be charged tuition. 

Residence of Students with Disabilities 

The residence of a child with a disability is determined in accordance with 105 ILCS 5/14-1.11, 5/14-1.11a, and 5/14-1.11b.

Admission of Nonresident Students Pursuant to an Agreement or Order 

Nonresident students may attend District schools pursuant to:

1. A written agreement with an adjacent school district to provide for tuition-free attendance by a student of that district, provided both the Superintendent or designee and the adjacent district determine that the student’s health and safety will be served by such attendance.

2. A written agreement with cultural exchange organizations and institutions supported by charity to provide for tuition-free attendance by foreign exchange students and nonresident pupils of charitable institutions.

3. According to an intergovernmental agreement.

4. Whenever any State or federal law or a court order mandates the acceptance of a nonresident student.

Homeless Children

Any homeless child shall be immediately admitted, even if the child or child’s parent/guardian is unable to produce records normally required to establish residency. School Board policy 6:140, Education of Homeless Children, and its implementing administrative procedure, govern the enrollment of homeless children.

Challenging a Student’s Residence Status 

If the Superintendent or designee determines that a student attending school on a tuition-free basis is a nonresident of the District for whom tuition is required to be charged, he or she on behalf of the School Board shall notify the person who enrolled the student of the tuition amount that is due. The notice shall detail the specific reasons why the Board believes that the student is a nonresident of the District and shall be given by certified mail, return receipt requested. The person who enrolled the student may challenge this determination and request a hearing as provided by the School Code, 105 ILCS 5/10 20.12b.

LEGAL REF.: 42 U.S.C. §11431 et seq., McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

105 ILCS 5/10-20.12a, 5/10-20.12b, 5/10-22.5, 5/10-22.5a, 5/14-1.11, 5/14-1.11a, and 5/14-1.11b.

105 ILCS 45/, Education for Homeless Children Act.

105 ILCS 70/, Educational Opportunity for Military Children Act.

23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.240.

Israel S. by Owens v. Bd. of Educ. of Oak Park and River Forest High Sch. Dist. 200, 235 Ill.App.3d 652 (5th Dist. 1992).

Joel R. v. Board of Education of Manheim School District 83, 292 Ill.App.3d 607 (1st Dist. 1997).

Kraut v. Rachford, 51 Ill.App.3d 206 (1st Dist. 1977).

CROSS REF.: 6:140 (Education of Homeless Children), 7:50 (School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools), 7:70 (Attendance and Truancy)

Adopted: March 17, 2025