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Every child has the right to a free public education. You enroll through your local school district based on where you live.
US public schools must enroll all children living in the district, regardless of immigration status. Schools cannot deny enrollment based on status.
Find your district by your home address, then register at the district office or school. You will usually provide proof of address, your child’s age, and immunization records.
Quick tips
Proof of your address (lease or utility bill), the child’s birth certificate or passport for age, and vaccination records. Schools help if some documents are missing.
Ask about English-as-a-Second-Language classes, after-school programs, and how to talk with teachers. Many districts have staff who help immigrant families.
General guidance, not official advice
These guides explain how things generally work. Rules and amounts vary by state and change over time — always confirm the details with the official sources linked in each guide.