Under the McKinney-Vento Act, a student can stay in their school of origin for the entire time they are experiencing homelessness, and then through the end of the school year in which they obtain permanent housing, as long as it is determined to be in the student’s best interest.

How long can a student stay?

Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act:

  • A student has the right to remain in their school of origin for the full duration of their homelessness, if it is in their best interest.
  • If the student becomes permanently housed during the school year, they can continue at the school of origin until the end of that academic year.
  • “School of origin” includes the school the child last attended, and in many states and districts also includes the next receiving school in a feeder pattern and some preschool programs.

In practical terms, this means there is no short, fixed number of days or months; the standard is “for the duration of homelessness and through the end of the school year when permanent housing is obtained,” subject to a best- interest determination by the school district.

Why the law allows this

The McKinney-Vento Act is designed to reduce school changes, which can severely disrupt academic progress and emotional stability for students experiencing homelessness. By letting them stay in their familiar school, the law aims to provide stability, continuity of friendships and services, and a consistent learning environment while their living situation is in flux.

Quick example

Imagine a student loses housing in October and moves to a different part of the district (or even another district). Under McKinney-Vento, they can remain in their school of origin for the rest of that school year, and if they do not yet have stable housing the next year, they can continue there as long as homelessness continues and it remains in their best interest.

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