Enrollment
Welcoming Families
The first interaction immigrant-origin families, and particularly newcomer families, have with schools, sets the tone for their entire school experience. Families often arrive with questions, stress, and limited familiarity with U.S. school systems, which can feel confusing and overwhelming.
School staff who are trained to be culturally responsive, warm, patient, supportive, and welcoming can make a lasting difference by creating a positive, welcoming first impression.
Offering clear orientation, accessible information in families’ home languages, and a genuine effort to make school processes understandable helps build trust and ensures families feel respected, included, and ready to engage.
Enrolling in Public School
All children who live in Massachusetts have the right to attend a public school for free. Children between the ages of 6 and 16 are required to attend school in Massachusetts.
This right to education applies to all children, regardless of immigration status. Schools cannot ask about a student's or their family's immigration status during enrollment.
Most children attend school in the district where they live. Families may also have other options, such as charter schools, vocational schools, and school choice programs.
To enroll, students and families will need to show two things:
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Proof that the student lives in the school district
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Proof of the student's age
Residency Documents
Residency documents show that a student lives in the school district. These are normal documents like bills or a lease, not about immigration status.
Schools must accept a range of documents. Acceptable proof of residency may include:
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Property tax receipts
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A lease or rental agreement
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Utility bills
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Gas, electric, or internet
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Not water or cell phone bills
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Pay stubs
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Voter registration card
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A letter from a government agency
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A signed statement from a parent or guardian confirming the family's address
Some districts may ask for two documents from different categories. Contact the local school district to find out exactly what they need.
If a family is experiencing homelessness, residency documents are not required to enroll. Families can ask the school about their rights under the McKinney-Vento Act.
Choosing a School: A Family Guide to Educational Options in Massachusetts, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Learn more about different types of school for your child and how to choose.
Guidance for School Committees and Districts Upholding the Rights of Immigrant Students to Enroll in School, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Guidance to clarify for school committees, superintendents, and administrators the rights of immigrant families and enrollment policies for schools.
Student and Family Support for Homeless Students, MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Find contact information for Homeless Liaison's to school to address issues that you or your student may be facing, including enrollment, special education, transportation, and more.
Education Helpline, Massachusetts Advocates for Children
A helpline that parents, educators, and service providers can call to learn more about their education rights and get personalized recommendations from education advocates.
Age Verification Documents
Schools may accept the following to confirm a student's age:
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Birth certificate
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Passport
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Records from a previous school
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A signed statement from a parent or guardian
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Baptism certificate
If a family does not have a birth certificate, schools should accept other documents such as school records, a statement from a parent, or baptism certificate.
Schools cannot require a Social Security number. No child can be turned away from school because of their immigration status, national origin, religion, or any other protected identity.
In Massachusetts, most students can remain enrolled in public school until they receive a diploma up until the age of 22. After they turn 22 students cannot enroll in the public K-12 school system.
Types of Schools in Massachusetts
All children in Massachusetts have the right to attend school for free, regardless of immigration status. The table below explains the different types of schools available.
School Type
Is it Free?
Who can Attend?
What is it?
Public School (Also called “District School”)
Your neighborhood school, run by your city or town
✅ Free
No application needed— just register with your local district
All children who live in the district
Charter School
A public school with a different teaching style or focus; runs independently from the local district
✅ Free
Admission by lottery if there are more applicants than seats
Any child can apply
Vocational / Trade School
A public high school that combines regular classes with hands-on job training (e.g. health care, construction, culinary arts)
✅ Free
Application is needed--admission may be competitive
High school age students
Private School
A school run by a private organization
❌ Tuition required
Application needed
Varies by school
Do I Need To Apply?
Parochial/ Religious School
A school run by a private organization, often with a religious or specialized focus
❌ Tuition required
Application needed
Any child can apply
Chapter 766 Approved Private Special Education School (or Out of District Placement)
A specialized private school for students with complex learning needs due to disability that has been approved by DESE to educate eligible public school students.
✅ Free if determined that the district cannot meet the student’s disability-related needs within the district
Application needed with support from the local district after it has been determined that the district cannot otherwise meet the student’s disability-related needs.
Any student determined to require the placement through the special education process carried out at the local level.
Collaborative
Partnership between multiple school district to provide educational services and programming.
✅ Free, if placed through student's IEP
Application needed — must get approval from your local school district
Any student determined to require the placement through the special education process carried out at the local level.
Home School
Parents teach their children at home
✅ Free, but parents provide everything
Application needed — must get approval from your local school district
Any family who chooses this option
Caregiver Affidavit
Sometimes a child lives with an adult who is not their parent — such as an aunt, uncle, grandparent, older sibling, family friend, or sponsor. In Massachusetts, there is a legal document called a Caregiver Authorization Affidavit that allows a non-parent caregiver to enroll a child in school and make educational decisions on their behalf. Schools must accept a properly completed affidavit as sufficient documentation for enrollment and services, ensuring that students can access education without unnecessary delay.
This document is especially helpful for unaccompanied immigrant youth — children who arrived in the United States without a parent or legal guardian.
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A parent or legal guardian can authorize a caregiver to make educational and medical decisions for a child by signing a Caregiver Authorization Affidavit. Find more information on DESE's website here.
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The affidavit must be signed in front of two witnesses (who are not the caregiver) and a notary public. Notaries are often available at banks and courthouses, and there may be a small fee.
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The affidavit is valid for up to two years. A new one is needed every two years.
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Parents should give a copy of the affidavit to the student's school and keep a copy for themselves in a safe place.
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The parent still keeps their rights — if there is a disagreement, the parent's decision comes first.
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In federal special education laws, the definition for "parent" is relatively broad. Parents can be:
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biological or adoptive parents,
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foster parents (unless prohibited by the state),
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a guardian authorized to act as the child's parent and make educational decisions (as described above),
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an individual acting in the place of a parent with whom the child lives or someone legally responsible for their welfare (this includes grandparents, stepparents),
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an appointed surrogate parent.
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Massachusetts Caregiver Authorization Affidavit, Mass.gov
The official form that allows a non-parent caregiver—such as a relative or family friend—to enroll a child in school and make educational and medical decisions on their behalf. It's valid for up to two years and must be signed in front of two witnesses and a notary.
Commonly Asked Questions about the Caregiver Affidavit, Mass Legal Help
An FAQ resource addressing common questions about who can use the Caregiver Authorization Affidavit, what rights it grants, and how it interacts with a parent's own legal rights. A useful reference for caregivers and school staff navigating enrollment for a child who isn't in their parent's direct care.
Home Language Survey
Every student enrolling in a Massachusetts public school for the first time must complete a Home Language Survey. This short form asks what language or languages are spoken at home. It does not ask about immigration status — it simply helps schools identify students who may need extra support learning English.
For Families
For School Staff
When you enroll your child, you will be asked to fill out a home language survey. Here is what happens next:
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If any answer indicates a language other than English is spoken at home, the school is required to test your child's English proficiency.
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If the test shows your child needs support, the school will provide English Learner (EL) services — additional help learning English alongside regular subjects.
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You have a right to adequate English language support. The school must communicate with you in your home language, including providing an interpreter at all meetings. Your child should never be asked to interpret for you.
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You have the right to opt out of English Language (EL) services, but it is strongly recommended that you speak with the school first before making that decision.
The Home Language Survey must be administered to every newly enrolled student, regardless of the language spoken at home. If any response indicates a language other than English, staff must screen the student's English proficiency using a DESE-approved assessment. Results determine whether the student qualifies for English Learner Education (ELE) services and inform initial placement.
Schools are also required to communicate with families in their home language throughout the enrollment process and beyond — this includes providing trained and qualified interpreters at meetings and translated documents. Students should never be used as interpreters between school staff and their families.
Massachusetts Home Language Survey, Massachusetts DESE
The official form every newly enrolling student completes to identify what language(s) are spoken at home. Answers determine whether a student is screened for English language proficiency and considered for English Learner services.
English Learner Guidance for Families, Massachusetts Legal Help
A family/educator friendly guide explaining families' rights during the English Learner identification and placement process, including the right to interpretation, translated materials, and the option to decline EL services. It's designed to help families understand and navigate the process with confidence.
You and Your Child’s Education Rights in the US, Mass Advocates for Children
A resource for students and families outlining the core educational protections immigrant families have in Massachusetts, regardless of immigration status. It covers enrollment, language access, and other key protections families should know when navigating the school system.
English Learner Education Series, Massachusetts Statewide Family Engagement Center (a program of the Federation for Children with Special Needs), developed in collaboration with Massachusetts DESE
A set of one-pagers and companion videos for families new to the EL identification process, covering what a notification letter means, what to expect if a language other than English is spoken at home, program placement options, steps families can take, and a glossary of EL terms. Designed to be shared alongside a district's notification letter, they're available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
Transcript Evaluation
When newcomer students enroll, school transcripts from their home country ensures that students are placed in the right grade and receive credit for prior learning.
For Families
Bring any school records you have from your home country when you enroll — report cards, transcripts, grade reports, diplomas, or certificates. Documents in another language are acceptable; schools should use translation services to review them. If records were lost or left behind, do not let that stop you from enrolling. Schools have other ways to assess your child's level.
A note on high school students: Credits already earned affect how many more credits are needed to graduate. Careful transcript evaluation can prevent unnecessary delays in diploma completion.
Enrolling and Supporting Newcomer Students in Massachusetts — FAQ, Massachusetts DESE
An FAQ resource covering common questions on enrolling newcomer students, including transcript evaluation, special education referrals, and supports for students without prior schooling records. Intended to help districts navigate enrollment and initial support with consistency across the state.
SLIFE Definition and Guidance, Massachusetts DESE
Official guidance defining Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) and outlining eligibility criteria specific to Massachusetts. It provides districts with a framework for identifying SLIFE students and connecting them to appropriate academic and language supports.
Supporting Newcomer Students: A Toolkit for Educators, U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (2021, Regional Educational Laboratory Northwest)
A research-based toolkit for secondary educators covering how to welcome, register, and support newcomer immigrant and refugee students, including placement, credit evaluation, and building staff capacity. It includes professional development materials, policy guides, and sample surveys educators can adapt for their own schools.
Countries: Education Systems and Grading, Scholaro Database
A searchable database of education systems and grading scales by country, useful for evaluating transcripts and determining grade-level placement and credit equivalency for newcomer students. It helps school staff translate unfamiliar international transcripts into U.S. grading and credit terms.
For School Staff
Collect all available transcripts and supporting documentation, and use translation services and knowledge of international grading systems to determine credit and identify academic gaps. When records are incomplete, placement can be informed by assessments, interviews, and work portfolios. Massachusetts DESE has published specific guidance for enrolling and supporting newcomer students, including frequently asked questions to help districts navigate this process. Placement decisions should be documented and shared with families in their home language.