This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about School Enrollment and Residency issues in Pennsylvania.
Enrollment of Students
Every child of school age who is a resident of a Pennsylvania school district is entitled to a public school education. This entitlement and the requirements to secure enrollment apply equally to:
- resident students residing with their parent(s)/guardian(s);
- emancipated minors residing in the district;
- non-resident students living with a district resident who is supporting the child gratis and seeking enrollment under 24 P.S. §13-1302;
- nonresident students living in a facility or institution;
- nonresident students living in a foster home.
Provided that the required enrollment documentation is provided, the school district or charter school must enroll non-resident children and permit them to attend school. A child should be permitted to attend school on the next school day after the day on which the child is presented for enrollment, and in all cases within five (5) business days of the school district’s receipt of the required documentation Continue Reading Full Resource. . .
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
2025-26 Back to School Guide for Pennsylvania Public School Students, Families, and Advocates
The Education Law Center-PA (ELC-PA) has updated its annual “Back to School Guide” with new publications and updated information on multiple education topics to help students, families, and child-serving professionals.
Back to School: How to enroll a child who is homeless in school (Video)
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this guide to the enrollment rights of students who are homeless. These students have special rights under a federal law called the McKinney-Vento act. (October 2009)
Back to School: How to Enroll Yourself as an Older Youth in School (Video)
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania Provides this enrollment guide for older youth who are emancipated or living on their own. You have a legal right to go to school in Pennsylvania until the end of the school term in which you have your 21st birthday. (October 2009)
Back to School: Know your Enrollment Rights (Video)
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this basic guide to enrolling your child in a Pennsylvania public school. (October 2009)
Enrollment of Students
Basic Education Circular from the Pennsylvania Department of Education concerning enrollment of students. It provides guidance regarding public school enrollment procedures for resident and non-resident children. These public school enrollment procedures, consistent with law, exist to ensure that public schools promptly enroll students who are residents or who are eligible non-residents. (Revised November 2024)
Homeless Education - PA Department of Education
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Education on homeless children's right to an education. Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (Pennsylvania ECYEH) Program was established to make sure homeless youth have access to a free and appropriate public education while removing barriers that homeless children face. Its goal is to have the educational process continue as uninterrupted as possible while the children are in homeless situations.
How to Enroll a Child in Public School
Every child of school age who is a resident of Pennsylvania has a right to public education. Making sure that your child enrolls and attends school is important for your child’s education and their future. Moving through these four steps will help you enroll your child in school as soon as possible. (August 2024)
Rights of Multilingual & Culturally Diverse Families
Information from the Education Law Center - Pennsylvania. Overview of the rights of students receiving English language instruction (identified in laws as English learners or ELs) and parents or guardians whose first language is not English (identified in laws as limited English proficient or LEP). August 2024.
School Enrollment by a Non-Parent Caregiver
Information from MidPenn Legal Services on how a non-parent can enroll a child in school. [PDF] (June 2010)
The Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness
Youth who are experiencing homelessness have special rights under a federal law called the McKinney-Vento Act. This fact sheet provides detailed information and resources for youth experiencing homelessness regarding their education rights under that federal law. A sample complaint form is provided. (August 2023)
Sample Sworn Statement and Residency Affidavit For Students Living With Adults Who Are Not Their Parents, 24 P.S. §13-1302 [PDF]
If a child is living with you and you are not with their parent, they have the right to attend school where you live if certain conditions are met. Use this form to determine whether the child living with you is eligible to enroll in school where you reside. This form is an affidavit (sworn statement), which means that you are certifying that all information you put on the form is correct. NOTE: You can face legal penalties if you knowingly complete this form using false information to enroll a child into school.
School Success for Students Without Homes - A Toolkit for Parents and Providers
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this collection of “tools” to help parents and providers ensure school success for children and youth (ages 3-21) in Pennsylvania who are experiencing homelessness. The toolkit provides information about important laws and explains legal rights and how to use them. (2011)
School Enrollment by a Non-Parent Caregiver
Information from MidPenn Legal Services on how a non-parent can enroll a child in school. [PDF] (June 2010)
2025-26 Back to School Guide for Pennsylvania Public School Students, Families, and Advocates
The Education Law Center-PA (ELC-PA) has updated its annual “Back to School Guide” with new publications and updated information on multiple education topics to help students, families, and child-serving professionals.
Back to School: How to Enroll a Child in School who is Living with Someone Other Than a Parent (Video)
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this guide to enrolling children in school if they are living with someone other than a parent. Typically, these children are living with a caregiver such as a grandparent, a relative, or a family friend. Like other youth, these children have the right to go to school in the district where they live. (October 2009)
Back to School: How to enroll a child who is homeless in school (Video)
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this guide to the enrollment rights of students who are homeless. These students have special rights under a federal law called the McKinney-Vento act. (October 2009)
Back to School: How to Enroll Yourself as an Older Youth in School (Video)
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania Provides this enrollment guide for older youth who are emancipated or living on their own. You have a legal right to go to school in Pennsylvania until the end of the school term in which you have your 21st birthday. (October 2009)
Back to School: Know your Enrollment Rights (Video)
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this basic guide to enrolling your child in a Pennsylvania public school. (October 2009)
Education Law Center
The Education Law Center is a non-profit legal advocacy and educational organization, dedicated to ensuring that all of Pennsylvania's children have access to a quality public education.
How to Enroll a Child in Public School
Every child of school age who is a resident of Pennsylvania has a right to public education. Making sure that your child enrolls and attends school is important for your child’s education and their future. Moving through these four steps will help you enroll your child in school as soon as possible. (August 2024)
How to Enroll a Child Living with Someone Other than A Parent
If a child is living with you and not with their parent, the child has the right to attend school where you live if certain conditions are met.1 If the child is in foster care, they have the additional right to immediate enrollment in school without submitting any enrollment documents. The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this Enrollment Guide explaining how to enroll a child living with someone other than a parent. (August 2024)
Rights of Multilingual & Culturally Diverse Families
Information from the Education Law Center - Pennsylvania. Overview of the rights of students receiving English language instruction (identified in laws as English learners or ELs) and parents or guardians whose first language is not English (identified in laws as limited English proficient or LEP). August 2024.
Sample Sworn Statement and Residency Affidavit For Students Living With Adults Who Are Not Their Parents, 24 P.S. §13-1302 [PDF]
If a child is living with you and you are not with their parent, they have the right to attend school where you live if certain conditions are met. Use this form to determine whether the child living with you is eligible to enroll in school where you reside. This form is an affidavit (sworn statement), which means that you are certifying that all information you put on the form is correct. NOTE: You can face legal penalties if you knowingly complete this form using false information to enroll a child into school.
School Success for Students Without Homes - A Toolkit for Parents and Providers
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this collection of “tools” to help parents and providers ensure school success for children and youth (ages 3-21) in Pennsylvania who are experiencing homelessness. The toolkit provides information about important laws and explains legal rights and how to use them. (2011)
The Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness
Youth who are experiencing homelessness have special rights under a federal law called the McKinney-Vento Act. This fact sheet provides detailed information and resources for youth experiencing homelessness regarding their education rights under that federal law. A sample complaint form is provided. (August 2023)
Education of Students Served by Pennsylvania County Children and Youth Agencies
The Pennsylvania (PA) Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF), of the PA Department of Human Services, oversees County Children and Youth Agencies (CCYAs). CCYA staff and contracted private providers are responsible to make certain that the educational needs of the children and youth that they serve are met by collaborating with schools, children, youth, and families. This explains how that oversight works.
Enrollment of Students
Basic Education Circular from the Pennsylvania Department of Education concerning enrollment of students. It provides guidance regarding public school enrollment procedures for resident and non-resident children. These public school enrollment procedures, consistent with law, exist to ensure that public schools promptly enroll students who are residents or who are eligible non-residents. (Revised November 2024)
Homeless Education - PA Department of Education
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Education on homeless children's right to an education. Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (Pennsylvania ECYEH) Program was established to make sure homeless youth have access to a free and appropriate public education while removing barriers that homeless children face. Its goal is to have the educational process continue as uninterrupted as possible while the children are in homeless situations.