A student began attending our school under Open Enrollment. The principal was just notified that the student and mother are at a local shelter, which is out of our school boundaries. Does school of origin apply, since the student originally was enrolled as an Open Enrollment student?

Answer: Yes. The open enrollment school is the school of origin–it is the school the child attended when permanently housed, and also the school in which last enrolled. 42 USC 11432(g)(3)(I)(i)-(ii). The fact that he enrolled originally under open enrollment is irrelevant. Of course, that is subject to best interest. The parent also can choose the school near the shelter, if that is what she prefers.

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