Section III

Are you having problems enrolling your child in school?

The Problem. Just because a child is living in a particular school district, it does not automatically mean that the school district must allow the child to enroll. For example, children trying to enroll in a school district other than where the child’s parent or guardian live are not automatically allowed to enroll in the public school. This is true even if the child is living with relatives who do not have legal custody.

In North Carolina, a public school is required to accept any child who is:

  • Between the ages of 5 and 21 years.
  • Presented for enrollment during the first 120 days of a school year.
  • Domiciled in that school’s administrative unit.
  • Is not under suspension or expulsion from school in NC or elsewhere, and has not been convicted of a felony in NC or elsewhere.

What you can do. Even though children living in a school district different from where their parents live cannot automatically enroll, there are several laws that will allow children to enroll in certain circumstances.

Although these steps can generally be completed without the assistance of an attorney, you may wish to contact your local Legal Aid office if are having problems enrolling a child in the public schools. Your local Legal Aid office will be able to help you determine if the child would be eligible to enroll and may be able to assist you in filling out the forms necessary to get the child enrolled.

This section contains of the Guidebook explains when a child can enroll in a school other than where a parent or guardian reside. It contains only one Quick Guide:

  • Quick Guide: School Enrollment Problems explains the two avenues for enrolling a child in a school district where the child’s parent or guardian do not reside and provides two form affidavits that can be used to help the child enroll.