Can my girlfriend attend a school if her parents do not live in her desired district and she is not yet 18?

Question

My girlfriend hates her current HS and would like to go to attend a new school district. Her parents have given her permission to move into my apartment even though she isn't 18 yet and I was tasked with trying to find her a school to attend. There is a good HS only 1 mile away from my apartment however they told me that because she is still a minor her parents/guardian must live in the school district that she wishes to attend until she is legally an adult. I'm assuming this is commonplace (if not law...) and I should have thought of that before, however is this the same everywhere? Also, if she lived with her sister who is also nearby would living with a family member possibly be an exception (again, doubtful but worth asking)? Her parents approve of the situation and would be willing to talk to the school(s) in question.

Thanks!

Answer 1

In the state I live in there is something called Open Enrollment. This is an option students from other districts have for attending a school within a different district than where they live. The unfortunate thing is, even if your state had this option, the application period for this is typically in January or February prior to the fall start of classes.

We do have some children who do not technically live within the district, but who have a grandmother or family member who does. Often they use that persons mailing address to establish a residence. In this instance, mailings from the school would be sent to that address, in your case a sister of your girlfriend.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck!