Unaccompanied Students
Recently, there has been an increase in students immigrating during their later years of high school – often between the ages of 16-18 years old – without their family. The resources below may help unaccompanied students understand their educational rights and learn more about available educational and mental health resources.
Rights of Unaccompanied Students
According to the California Department of Education and current California law reflecting Plyler v. Doe, California schools MUST enroll all school-aged children who reside in California regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. During the enrollment process, local educational agencies may NOT inquire about nor require documents pertaining to or disclosing an enrollee’s immigration status.
Once an unaccompanied student is enrolled in school, he or she is entitled to the same educational services, treatment, and opportunities as any other enrolled student.
For more information regarding the rights of unaccompanied students, please refer to the following resources.
- Unaccompanied Minors Frequently Asked Questions (California Department of Education)
- Information on the Rights of Unaccompanied Children to Enroll in School and Participate Meaningfully and Equally in Educational Programs
- Promoting Access to Education for Unaccompanied Children: A Resource for Families and Educators
General Resources for Unaccompanied Students
- Colorín Colorado
- The Unique Needs of Unaccompanied Children
- U.S. Department of Education Newcomer Toolkit
- Office of Refugee Resettlement: Unaccompanied Children Frequently Asked Questions
- Trauma-Informed Care: Understanding and Addressing the Needs of Unaccompanied Children (Webinar)
- Atención Informada en Trauma: Cómo Entender y Abordar las Necesidades de los Niños Inmigrantes no Acompañados (Webinar)
- Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
- U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
- Unaccompanied Children Resource Center (Centro De Recursos Para Jóvenes Inmigrantes)
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Resources for Educators of Refugees and Migrants