School Enrollment and Residency
Legal Information
This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about School Enrollment and Residency issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Homeschooling in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, children between the ages of eight and seventeen must attend school. Educating a child at home is one way to comply with compulsory school attendance laws. This fact sheet from the Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides information on homeschooling guidelines in Pennsylvania. (July 2008)
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)
Sample Sworn Statement and Residency Affidavit, 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 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)
Evicted? Doubled up? Your Child Has the Right to Stay in School!
This toolkit is about students’ rights under a federal law known as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Students have these rights whether they are homeless alone (in which case they are an unaccompanied youth) or with their families. (2019)
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)
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)
How to Enroll a Child in Public School
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this step-by-step guide to enrolling a child in public school. (August 2021)
How to Enroll a Child Living with Someone Other than A Parent
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this Enrollment Guide explaining how to enroll a child living with someone other than a parent. (August 2021)
How to Enroll a Child Who is Homeless
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this Enrollment Guide on how to enroll a child who is experiencing homelessness in school. Children who are homeless have special rights which are guaranteed by a federal law called the McKinney-Vento Act. They can usually stay in the same school if they move, they can start school without records, and have other rights designed to protect their right to an education. (August 2012)
How to Enroll Yourself as an Older Youth in School
The Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides this step-by-step fact sheet to help older youth enroll themselves in school quickly. It also provides contact information and the necessary forms for school enrollment. (August 2012)
Homeschooling in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, children between the ages of eight and seventeen must attend school. Educating a child at home is one way to comply with compulsory school attendance laws. This fact sheet from the Education Law Center - Pennsylvania provides information on homeschooling guidelines in Pennsylvania. (July 2008)
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)
Rights of Multilingual Learners & Linguistically & 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).
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.
ELC’s 2021 Back-to-School Guide for Pennsylvania Public School Students
The Education Law Center (ELC) has updated its “Back-to-School” guide for families, students, and schools. The information and fact sheets now include COVID-related considerations for the upcoming school year.
Sample Sworn Statement and Residency Affidavit, 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.
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.
Enrollment of Students
Basic Education Circular from the Pennsylvania Department of Education concerning enrollment of students. [PDF]
Student Enrollment - Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
The Pennsylvania Department of Education provides Questions and Answers to assist parents, school districts and charter schools in the student enrollment process. This information is based on applicable school law and regulation and reflects procedures outlined in the recently revised Basic Education Circular (BEC) on Student Enrollment. [PDF]
Homeless Education - PA Department of Education
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Education on homeless children's right to an education.
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.
Ensuring Educational Stability for Youth in Foster Care – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions about the educational rights and safety of children in foster care from the PA Department of Education.