No school shall receive any student under eighteen years of age, unless the student’s parent or legal guardian produces to the school in which the student is to be enrolled, a certificate of release of the school last attended by the student; provided that an emancipated minor may produce the minor’s own certificate of release. If the parent or legal guardian of a student applies for the student to be enrolled, or an emancipated minor applies to enroll, in a school of higher grade, a certificate of proficiency or a lawful excuse for its absence shall be required.

This section shall not apply to students eligible for assistance provided under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, including unaccompanied youth who are not under the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian.