The Montgomery County Board of Education reviewed the increased enrollment of unaccompanied youth in the school system at its March 10 meeting.
Unaccompanied minors refer to the immigration of children, particularly those from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Conditions in Central America, including reports of high poverty, violence, lack of opportunity, and governmental instability were noted as contributing factors in these increases.
While international students — including those who come to the area unaccompanied by an adult — have been enrolling in MCPS for several years, there has been an increase in the number of students enrolling in MCPS from Central American countries and their need for social supports.
The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement has been working to place some of the unaccompanied minors in locations throughout the country, including Montgomery County. As of Jan. 31, 2015, 144 students have been enrolled in MCPS schools through ORR.
MCPS has been working with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships, as well as other agencies and non-profits to provide support services to these students and their families.
The next regular Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, March 30.