KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

As a public school student in California, you have rights at your school. Explore your rights as students, so you can advocate for yourself and your communities.

Learn Your Rights

In California, public school students have rights to protect their ability to access their education. These rights can protect you in different ways from keeping you safe against bullying to ensuring you have access to resources at school if you and your family become unhoused. On this website, you can learn more about these rights and what you can do to protect your rights if your school violates them.

My Civil Rights & Civil Liberties

Freedom of Expression, Privacy, and more

What Do I Do If I Get In Trouble?

What to do if you’re suspended, expelled, or have contact with police

My Right To Feel Safe & Be Myself

Self & religious expression, being physically safe

My Health & Mental Health Rights

Sex ed, pregnancy, and more

My Rights As A __ Student

Your rights as a student with various circumstances

How To Enforce Your Rights

Filing complaints

View All Rights

Not sure where to start? Browse all rights and categories.

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AS A STUDENT, I FEEL MENTAL HEALTH CHECK-INS BETWEEN ADMINISTRATORS … AND EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL PUPIL SHOULD BE MANDATORY ALONG WITH A PERIOD OF REST.

Catherine Estrada, Even in COVID, Student Mental Health Is Still Not A Priority

Youth Voices

Read real stories of students who have spoken up, voiced their rights and made a difference in their school.

My School, My Rights is a collaboration of the ACLU of Northern California, the ACLU of Southern California, and the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties and is published by their statewide Education Equity Project. The Education Equity Project’s foremost priority is to ensure that all students can access their constitutional and other rights at school. 

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