Protections for Undocumented Students

At SHS, we have a responsibility to ensure that all of our students feel safe and supported and we work hard to create a school culture that is responsive to all of the students and families. Under Federal law, undocumented children and young adults have the same right to attend public primary and secondary schools as do all U.S. citizens and permanent residents and, under state law, all Vermont children, including undocumented children, are required to attend school until the mandated age of 16. In order for SHS to meet this obligation, we are committed to going beyond merely telling families to enroll their student(s), but also working proactively to ensure that they feel safe, supported, and welcomed. Thus, SHS does not: 1) deny/terminate a student’s enrollment on the basis of actual or perceived immigration status, 2) verify legal residency in the U.S., 3) engage in any practices that have the effect of discouraging students from attending school based on their immigration status, 4) require students or their parents to disclose their immigration status or inquire of students or parents in ways that may expose their undocumented status, and 5) deny or terminate a student’s enrollment if the student or family does not provide a social security number.