NC H793

Parents or guardians of North Carolina students may request enrollment in any local school administrative unit within the student's domicile, rather than being restricted to their assigned school based on address.

Each local board of education must adopt and publish an open enrollment plan addressing application processes, parent school preferences, lottery procedures for oversubscribed schools, and transportation availability.

Students once enrolled through open enrollment may continue attending that school in subsequent years without reapplying, unless voluntarily unenrolled.

Local school administrative units may deny enrollment requests if the school lacks appropriate programs or facilities for the student's needs, the student fails to meet eligibility criteria, a desegregation plan requires denial, or the student is under suspension or expulsion.

Students may appeal denied or revoked enrollment requests to the local board of education within 60 days, and further appeal to the State Board of Education within 90 days, with the act effective for the 2024-2025 school year registration period.