Help for families in transition
The McKinney-Vento Act ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness have equal access to a free, appropriate public education. Students identified as homeless have the right to enroll in school immediately, even if they lack normally required documents such as proof of residency, immunizations, or school records. Northwest Georgia Charter Academy complies with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and Georgia State Board Rule 160-5-1-.28.
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, homeless children and youth are defined as those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes students who share housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons; live in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternatives; reside in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; have a primary nighttime residence in a place not designed for human habitation; live in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations; or are migratory children meeting the above definitions. Unaccompanied youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian who meet these conditions are also considered homeless.
Under McKinney-Vento, students experiencing homelessness have the right to immediate enrollment even if records are not available; to remain in the school of origin if it is in their best interest; to transportation to and from the school of origin, if requested; to free school meals; to equal access to all school programs and services, including preschool, gifted, special education, English language support, and extracurricular activities; to academic credit for full or partial coursework completed at a previous school; and to a dispute resolution process if there is disagreement about eligibility, enrollment, or school placement. Students will be enrolled immediately while disputes are resolved.
Immediate enrollment
Stay in school of origin
Transportation if requested
Free school meals
Full access to all programs
Dispute resolution
Northwest Georgia Charter Academy currently serves no migrant students; if eligible students are identified, migrant education services and referrals will be coordinated through the liaison.
