Can non-citizen children study in public schools in the USA?

Elementary, Middle School, or High School. Find information on studying in the U.S. as a foreign student in primary or secondary school: Search for a U.S. School - The school you choose must have a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. Public elementary schools (K to 8) are not eligible for SEVP certification. read more

Rules on foreign students in US schools were tightened up several years ago in response to huge numbers of foreign children being sent to the US on tourist visas, then living in informal group homes for years, and studying for free in US schools (non-citizen, non-resident children without student visas are supposed to pay for US education, although schools often have trouble figuring out how and how much to charge). read more

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Plyler vs. Doe (457 U.S. 202 (1982)) that undocumented children and young adults have the same right to attend public primary and secondary schools as do U.S. citizens and permanent residents. read more