Can A Runaway Attend School?

[Guest]

What if I want to run away to my boyfriends place and he lives in a different state, how would they enroll me to a school?

[ccsmod11]

(If you feel you are in immediate danger for any reason, please call the police or go to your local emergency room.)

Hi there,
Thanks so much for reaching out to us. To answer your question, a parent/guardian is typically needed for school registration. If you were to go to your boyfriend’s, whoever has legal custody of you would have to enroll in your chosen school on your behalf.

However, you do have the right to enroll in a public school under the McKinney-Vento Act, so some states might have different rules about things like this. While most schools you enroll in will likely report you as a runaway when they find out, it might be worth reaching out to your state’s coordinator to ask your enrollment questions directly (without giving away any personal information.) You can find this information here: https://schoolhouseconnection.org/ho...ons-directory/

Since you might be thinking about leaving home for reasons involving your parents/guardians, this might not be possible for you. Unfortunately in situations like these you have to decide between staying in your school or leaving home.

The decision to leave home is a very difficult and personal decision and we support you mo matter what you choose, but we’d love to help talk you through everything so you can make the best decision possible for you. The NRS is here 24/7 via online chat or by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929).

Thanks again and good luck!

NRS

[Guest]

I'm running away this summer and I don't plan on coming back but I want to go to high school next year any advice

[ccsmod3]

Hi, thank you for reaching out. It sounds like you are planning on running away this summer and not going back home and wondering how you would still go to school. There is a Federal Law called McKinney Vento Act that allows runaway and homeless youth be able to enroll in school. A resource to help with that is: National Center for Homeless Education Helpline at (800) 308 2145. If you would like to talk more about what’s going on that is making you want to run away or anything else we can do to support, please either call our hotline 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat us online at 1800runaway.org. We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS