How long do Elementary Schools keep student records?

Question

I'm looking for some one who was in my kindergarten class but this was back in 1981.

Answer 1

To the best of my knowledge, elementary schools forward records on to the kid's next school, if it's in the same system or town, but send only copies if the kid transfers to another state or something.  If they keep the originals, they probably keep them until the student turns 21, then "summarize" onto a card (like name, address, dob, final grades each year, and where the kid went after that school) for easier filing in less space.  You could check with the specific school and ask -- they might or might not tell you, since it was a friend and not a relative.  Privacy issues, you know.

Answer 2

Your best bet would be to go to the school library and ask if they have any yearbooks from 1981.  I know our school keeps old yearbooks.  Once you find the person's name you can do an online search or something.

Even if the office had the records, they likely would never give them out.