education

[Guest]

hello,
I am 15 and planning on running away because I can't deal with things at home any more, I've contact child services three or more times but I am still in the home. I have everything figured out besides school, I was thinking about doing online school but I don't know if I can do that without my parent, if not I was considering normal high school. I now that runaways and homeless kids always have the right to an education but would I be able to skip the address form? would I have to have a parent's concent? would the police come and get me from School and take me home? please let me know, thank you

[ccsmod5]

Hey there,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We are happy to help in any way that we can.

It sounds like your current living environment is not positive for you right now, but you have a plan to improve your situation. It's really awesome that you are making sure you have everything figured out before you leave your home, including continuing your education. We are not legal experts, but our understanding is that when you are under your state's legal age of majority, you must have parent consent to enroll in school. If you would like to look up the age of majority per state, this website may be helpful to you: https://sexetc.org/action-center/sex-in-the-states/. If you select your state on the map, you will quickly be able to find what the age of minority/majority in your is.

If 15 is still considered a minor in your state, you most likely will need parental consent. You would still be able to go to the school you currently attend, but your parent may know to go there to check on you. If police do find you, either at school or elsewhere, most police departments try to return a runaway/missing youth back to their home. If you would like, you can call us here at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929), and we are happy to call your local police department, anonymously, and see how they handle runaway cases.

If you would like to learn more about education options for runaway and homeless youth, the National Center for Homeless Education has a toll-free helpline at (800) 308-2145. You can learn more about this one their website: https://nche.ed.gov/helpline.php.

Once again, it is really great that you are thinking about your full picture and ensuring you receive the eudcation that you deserve. If you have any other questions or would like to talk through any of your options further, feel free to give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We are a 24/7, toll-free resource. We're here to listen, here to help.

Best of luck,
NRS