Youth Experiencing Homelessness & Foster Youth 

Youth experiencing homelessness can enroll in school even if they have uncertain housing, a temporary address or no permanent physical address.  They are guaranteed enrollment in school by the federal McKinney-Vento Act and California state law if they live: 

• In a shelter (family, domestic violence or youth shelter) or a 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 temporary foster care or with an adult who is not a parent or guardian
• In substandard housing without electricity, water or heat
• With friends or family because they are a runaway or unaccompanied youth

To enroll or attend school, if you live under any of these conditions, you do not need to provide:

• Proof of residency
• Immunization records or TB 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 boundary or district.
• Receive transportation from your current residence back to your school of origin
• Qualify automatically for free and reduced-price breakfast and lunches
• Contact the district's homeless youth liaison to resolve any disputes that arise during the enrollment process.

Click here to read the provisions of the federal McKinney-Vento Act