Unaccompanied children are children who are under 18 years old, who do not have a parent or guardian in the United States available to provide care and physical custody, and who lack legal immigration status in the United States. Unaccompanied children may live with family members or other adult sponsors in local communities. Under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, unaccompanied children, like all other students, have an equal right to access local public schools. But they may face barriers to educational opportunities due to discrimination because of their national origin or immigration status. This fact sheet highlights specific access to education challenges faced by unaccompanied children, explains to individuals caring for unaccompanied children where to go for help, and aims to help public schools understand their responsibilities to serve unaccompanied children under Federal civil rights laws.