6201

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

6201

Qualifications for admission to the Wake County Public School System shall be considered complete upon satisfaction of the criteria listed under the respective types of entrants. 

6201.1 

Definitions:

A.

"Domicile" denotes a permanent, established home, as distinguished from a temporary, although actual place of residence. The domicile of an unemancipated minor is the same as that of his parents or legal custodian. A financially independent student over the age of eighteen, a student who is married or a student who is legally emancipated may establish his/or her own domicile. 

B.

"Residence" is where a person actually lives, whether permanent or temporary.

C.

"Legal Custodian" is a person or agency awarded legal custody of a child by a court of law.

D.

"Long-term Suspension" is a removal from school for the remainder of the school year. 

E.

"365-day Suspension" is a removal from school for 365 calendar days from the start of the suspension.

F.

"Expulsion" is a permanent removal from the Wake County Public School System. 

G.

“Homeless” denotes a student who does not have a fixed, regular and adequate residence. 

 6201.2

Before a student will be enrolled in the Wake County school system, the following requirements must be met: 

A.

Student has not completed the prescribed course for graduation from high school.

B.

Student has satisfied North Carolina immunization requirements. 

C.

The parent, guardian, or custodian has presented documentation establishing the student’s age (birth certificate), grade placement (transcript or report card from previous school if transferring from elsewhere). 

D.

For a student presented for enrollment, after enrollment in a private or public school in this or any other state, the student’s parents or  legal custodian, shall provide a statement made under oath or affirmation before a qualified official indicating whether the student is, at the time, under suspension or expulsion from the previous school or has been convicted of a felony in this state or any other state. 

1.

The Superintendent/Designee may deny admission or place reasonable conditions on the admission of a student who has been suspended from a school under G.S. § 115C-391 or who has been suspended from another public or private school within this state or any other state for conduct that could have led to a suspension in the Wake County public schools, until the period of suspension has expired.  A student who is denied admission under this provision may request but is not entitled to appeal this decision to the Board as provided in policy 6520: Student Grievances.

2.

The Superintendent/Designee may deny admission or place reasonable conditions on the admission of a student who has been expelled from a school under G.S. § 115C-391 or who has been expelled from another public or private school within this state or any other state for behavior that indicated the student’s continued presence in the school constituted a clear threat to the safety of other students or employees; or who has been convicted of a felony in this or any other state. A student who is denied admission under this provision may appeal this decision as provided in Wake County Public School System Policy 6530.11.

E.

The parent, or legal custodian of a child entering kindergarten is required to obtain a health assessment for their child. This is required by law and must be conducted no more than 12 months prior to the date of school entry. It must include a medical history and physical examination with screening for vision and hearing and, if appropriate, for anemia and tuberculosis. 

F.

The student meets the age requirements outlined below: 

1.

Preschool: To enroll in a preschool program, a child must meet the age requirements for the program in which he seeks to enroll. 

2.

Kindergarten: To enroll in kindergarten, a student must be at least five years of age by October 16 of the school year in which the student seeks to enroll (per G.S. 115C-364, the cutoff date will change to August 31 starting with the 2009-2010 school year), be qualified to enroll as a four- and a half-year-old under State Board of Education guidelines and the principal’s discretion or be qualified because of previous enrollment in kindergarten in another public school system or private school in another state or country. 

3.

Older Students: Students older than 21 years of age or who have already completed the requirements for graduation from high school are no longer eligible to enroll. 

G.

The parent, or legal custodian must present a child for initial enrollment into kindergarten within the first 120 days of the school year. 

6201.3

Entitlement to Admission

A student is legally entitled to be enrolled in the Wake County Public School System if the student meets one of the following criteria: 

A.

The student is domiciled in Wake County; or 

B.

The student resides with a legal custodian who is domiciled in Wake County or in a pre-adoptive home in Wake County following placement by a county department of social services or a licensed child-placing agency; or 

C.

The student meets all three of the following conditions:

1.

The student resides with an adult, who is a domiciliary of Wake County, as a result of:

a.

Death, serious illness, or incarceration of a parent or legal guardian; or 

b.

Abandonment by a parent or legal guardian of complete control of the student as evidenced by the failure to provide substantial financial support and proper guidance; or 

c.

Abuse or neglect by parent or legal guardian; or 

d.

Physical or mental condition of the parent or legal guardian is such that he or she cannot provide adequate care and supervision of the student; or

e.

The relinquishment of physical custody and control of the student by the student’s parent or legal guardian upon the recommendation of the department of social services or the Division of Mental Health; or

 f.

Loss or un-inhabitability of the student’s home as a result of a natural disaster; or 

g.

The student’s parent or legal guardian is on active military duty and is deployed out of the local school administrative unit in which the student resides.  For purposes of this policy, the term 'active duty' does not include periods of active duty for training for less than 30 days. Assignment under this provision is only available if some evidence of the deployment is tendered with the affidavit required in paragraph 3. below.

2.

The student is not currently under a term of suspension or expulsion from a school for conduct that could have led to a suspension or expulsion from the Wake County Public School System; and 

3.

The caregiver adult, defined as the adult with whom the student resides, and the student’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian presents to the Office of Growth Management a completed and signed separate affidavit that 

a.

Confirms the qualifications set out in this subsection establishing the student’s residency; 

b.

Attests that the student’s claim of residency in Wake County is not primarily related to attendance at a particular school within Wake County or attendance in the Wake County schools generally; and 

c.

Attests that the caregiver adult has been given and accepts responsibility for the educational decisions for the child, including receiving notices of discipline, attending conferences, granting permission for school-related activities, and taking appropriate action in connection with student records; or 

D.

The student is living in and cared for and supported by an institution established, operated, or incorporated for the purpose of rearing and caring for children who do not live with their parents; or

E.

The student is a homeless student who is currently found in Wake County (The homeless student must be enrolled immediately, even if the student is not accompanied by an adult and cannot provide proof of residency, school and immunization records, birth certificates or other documents); or 

F.

The student is otherwise found by the Wake County Board of Education to be entitled to enroll in the Wake County public schools. 

6201.4

Discretionary Admission/Tuition Students:

A.

Discretionary student admissions are discouraged due to space limitations within the system. 

B.

Tuition will be charged to the following students: 

1.

All students granted discretionary admission who reside outside the school district unless the student meets the qualifications of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act  and 

2.

All students domiciled outside of North Carolina who have been granted discretionary admission. 

C.

The tuition rates for the succeeding year are determined as follows: 

1.

The tuition rate for students other than children of current Wake County Public School System employees is determined by dividing the current year’s Wake County budget appropriation (current expense plus capital outlay) and capital improvements by the current year’s twentieth day membership. 

2.

For students who are children of current Wake County School system employees, the tuition rate is determined by dividing the current year’s Wake County budget appropriation for the current operating fund by the current year’s twentieth day membership. This rate formula will remain effective while the student is enrolled in his/her current grade grouping of K-5, 6-8, or 9-12. Upon entering the new grade grouping, the tuition rate formula shall be the same as for students in Section C.1 of this policy. The Board of Education at its discretion may waive tuition for children of current Wake County School System Employees. 

3.

The tuition rates will be determined and reported to the Board of Education no later than May 1 of each year. 

D.

Tuition students shall satisfy the following requirements for admission: 

1.

Request discretionary admission within the first twenty days of school; 

2.

Attach evidence of good academic and disciplinary standing; 

3.

Present evidence that the student has not completed the prescribed course for graduation from high school; 

4.

Obtain release from school district of residence; 

5.

Be granted discretionary admission; 

6.

Pay the tuition fee in accordance with a collection schedule to be established by the Superintendent and 

7.

Be responsible for transportation if the student resides with an adult who lives outside the base area of the school to which the student is assigned. 

Note:  Approval for a particular school will depend on the school capacity and diversity. 

E.

Exemptions: Notwithstanding the above, the following categories of students are exempt from the requirement to pay tuition, regardless of their domiciliary status: 

1.

Students who reside within the school district with a parent or  legal custodian who is a student, employee or faculty member of a college or university, or a visiting scholar at The National Humanities Center. 

2.

Students granted discretionary status who reside on a military or naval reservation within North Carolina if federal funds designed to compensate for the impact on public schools of military dependent students are provided to the Wake County Public School System in an amount not less than fifty percent (50%) of the total per capita cost of education for students in the school system, exclusively of capital outlay and debt service. 

3.

Foreign and international exchange students who are participating in exchange programs with school districts that have reciprocal agreements for Wake County students. Foreign and international exchange students must enter the United States with a valid J-1 visa. Foreign students, whether residing inside Wake County or outside the United States, will not be issued an I-20 A-B (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant [F-1] Student Status – For Academic and Language Students.). 

4.

Students who meet the qualifications of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. 

5.

Students placed in facilities licensed under Article 2 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes or under Article 1A of Chapter 131D of the General Statutes. If an agency or person, other than the student’s parent or guardian, is the student’s legal custodian and if that person or agency placed or assigned the student to the licensed facility, then that agency or person must provide in writing to the school the name, address, and phone number of the individual who has authority and the responsibility to make educational decisions for the student. This individual shall reside or be employed within Wake County and shall provide in writing to the school a signed statement that the individual understands and accepts this authority and responsibility to make educational decisions for the student. If the student’s parent or legal guardian retains legal custody of the student, the requirements of 6201.3.C of this policy must be met.

F.

The Board, in its discretion, may waive the tuition charges upon finding that there are extenuating circumstances that justify such a waiver. 

G.

Where applicable, students granted discretionary admission for part of the school year shall be  required to pay tuition on a pro rata basis not less than the rate for one grading period. They will not be charged tuition for any period of time when they are entitled to be Wake County students. 

6201.5

Discretionary Releases to Attend School in Other Districts

A.

Wake County students seeking release to attend public school in another public school system may apply to the Board for a release.

B.

Release from Wake County releases the school system from any obligation to provide transportation and/or tuition for the student unless the student meets the qualifications of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. 

6201.6

Final decisions by the Superintendent regarding domiciliary status of students seeking to attend the Wake County Public School System and payment of tuition may be appealed to the Board. 

6201.7

Applications for discretionary admission or release shall be made with the Growth Management Office. 

6201.8

Homeless Students Appeal Process

The Board authorizes the Superintendent or designee to develop regulations and procedures to implement a homeless appeal process for parents, guardians, or unaccompanied youth who have complaints about enrollment, and how to file an appeal to the Liaison for Homeless Students upon registering, or attempting to register, at the school. Enrollment shall be deemed to include attending classes and participating fully in school activities.

Legal Reference: G.S. 115C-40, G.S. 115C-366, G.S. 115C-366.1, G.S. 115C-366.2, G.S. 130-87 through 93.01, G.S. 115C-364, G.S. 115C 391, Board Policy 6530.11, and 16 NCAC 06H .0112.

 Adopted: August 17, 1981

 Revised: April 1986

 Revised: May 1988

 Revised: November 18, 1991

 Revised: November 18, 1996

 Revised: May 18, 1998

 Revised: May 8, 2000

 Revised: May 30, 2001

 Revised: March 18, 2003

 Revised: May 6, 2003

 Revised: September 18, 2007

 Revised: October 16, 2007

 Revised: January 8, 2008