Homeless Students

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youth as being those who lack fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence including:

Sharing housing with friends or relatives due to loss of housing or economic hardship (also known as "doubled up").
Living in a motel, hotel, campground, vehicle, bus or train station, or other public place, abandoned building or some other inadequate accommodations.
Living in emergency or transitional shelters.
Migratory children who are living in circumstances described above.
Unaccompanied youth, including youth who are not in the physical custody or a parent or guardian, such as runaway or youth who have been denied housing by their family.

Students have the right to:

Immediate Enrollment: Even if students lack documentation regarding residency, guardianship, immunizations or school records.
Attend School: The right to attend the school of residence or the school of origin. The school of origin is where the student was last enrolled or where they attended school when permanently housed (including preschool).
Remain Enrolled: In the student's selected school for the duration of homelessness or through the academic year if they become permanently housed.
Access: Students will have access to the same programs and services that are available to all students (e.g., ensured meals by receiving free lunch immediately).
Transportation: Students receive transportation to and from school.