We're having a similar problem here in Charlotte, NC.. As a refugee 
resettlement agency, our caseworkers take the newly arriving families to the 
public school "international" office to enroll the children & then to the 
assigned schools.  Since Aug., we've had 3 or 4 young Montangard boys/men 
(18-19 yrs.) rejected by the local high school.  Although NC law apparently 
allows kids to remain in H.S. until age 21, admitting them after turning age 
18 is "at the principal's discretion."  To add insult to injury, some of 
their birthdays are "government issued" (1-1- 19xx).  [If the date were 
later, say 12-12-19xx, the boys would have been admitted.]

We're concerned that they're being rejected because of a perceived 
"inability to succeed" - especially w/all the mandated testing.  The 
caseworkers & I think they'd benefit greatly from the 6 hrs./day of classes, 
esp. since we can offer only 3-6 hrs. /week of classes.

On the other side, we've had a recently-arrived 16 yr. old (who was in high 
school) quit because he wanted to work & help his family when his dad was 
laid-off.  Now we're having trouble getting him back into school.

Are there no good answers for these kids?

Dottie Shattuck
HIAS-NC