The 4th amendment definitely applies on school grounds, so long as they are actuay within the United States. The 4th amendment protects students who are in school but at a lower standard than adults out of school.The Fourth Amendment guarantees a constitutional right to privacy but when applied to school there is more to it. All schools must meet numerous standards. Amendment Four to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It protects the American people from unreasonable searches and seizures. Amendment Four to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It protects the American people from unreasonable searches and seizures. Independently or in pairs, students complete the Preamble in Action worksheet (following the lesson) and report out. (7) The school setting also requires some modification of the level of suspicion of illicit activity needed to justify a search.