Custody Arrangements

How does the school address custody arrangements?

Oakwood requires all parents/guardians to keep the school informed about changes to a student’s home location, family contact information, custody arrangements, or other changes that might impact the student’s educational experience.

Non-custodial parents generally retain the same rights as custodial parents, unless a court order restricts the rights of the non-custodial parent. These rights include, but are not limited to, accessing their child’s pupil records, participating in school activities, receiving communications from the school, and visiting the child at school. Any custody-related court order binds the parties to the proceeding and not the school. However, the school recognizes that certain court orders impact the child’s educational experience. For that reason, the school requires parents to notify the school of any applicable and relevant court orders that impact the child’s educational experience and to provide copies of such court orders when requested by the school.

When custody arrangements or disputes among the parents regarding the child’s educational experience impede the school’s ability to maintain a positive and constructive relationship with the parents, the school may terminate the student’s enrollment or ban one or both parents from entering school property and/or participating in school-sponsored events.

Child custody cases can be difficult for all concerned. Oakwood will reasonably interpret and comply with all valid, relevant court orders or subpoenas; however, it is Oakwood’s policy to be impartial, which means not taking sides between parents in custody matters, and not otherwise inserting Oakwood into such private family matters. As a result, Oakwood will not become entangled in disputes between parents. Parents are not permitted to ask Oakwood employees for statements (such as a letter, declaration, or affidavit) in support of, or in opposition to, divorce or custody proceedings, and Oakwood employees are not permitted to provide such statements in their capacity as Oakwood employees.