A charter school lottery is a random selection process that determines which students will be offered admission when the number of applicants exceeds the available seats in a school. California law requires charter schools to conduct a public, transparent lottery when demand exceeds capacity. It is not exclusionary but instead creates a fair and transparent process that is compliant with enrollment regulations and provides all applicants with equal opportunity.

Any California student residing within the charter authorizing district or specific geographic boundaries can apply to the lottery. IvyTech Charter School’s lottery is designed to be unbiased and impartial. No student is given preferential treatment based on their academic performance or socioeconomic background. The lottery system ensures that each applicant has an equal chance of securing a seat. Some schools, however, may have preferences for siblings of current students or children of staff members.

Parents must submit the open lottery enrollment form by the deadline set by the school. (This year, it’s March 20, 2025). If you need a paper application, please stop by our office during regular business hours (i.e., M-F 8:30 am - 3:30 pm).

IvyTech will conduct the lottery during the week of March 31, 2025. Families will be notified via email and text message if their names were drawn on Friday, April 4, 2025.

The lottery process must be random and fair. Some schools use a computerized system, while others conduct manual drawings. Preferences may be applied according to school policies.

Yes, IvyTech Charter School may provide priority admission to:

• All current IvyTech Students

• Siblings of currently enrolled students

• Children of school staff or board members (up to 10% of enrollment)

• Students residing within the authorizing school’s district boundaries

• All other applicants

Families will be notified if their name was pulled via email and text message on Friday, April 4, 2025.

What you can anticipate:

• On April 4th, 2025, if your students’ name is pulled during the lottery, IvyTech staff will contact you via email and text message and offer you a spot at our school. (A Link to confirm your acceptance of the offer and to schedule your registration appointment will be included in the email and text message)

• Once notified, families have the opportunity to accept or decline the offer. Families must accept an offer of admission by Friday, April 18, 2025, or their offer will be rescinded and the spot will be reallocated to an applicant on the waitlist.

• After accepting, parents will be required to complete the school enrollment process and submit the mandatory documents required by the state for enrollment in a publicly funded school.

• Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will complete the 2025-2026 registration forms at their appointment.

• Students do not need to attend this appointment but it is HIGHLY recommended.

After your registration appointment:

• You will be emailed an electronic written agreement that MUST be signed by both the parent/guardian AND student by JUNE 6TH. (*The Written Agreement is the final step for enrolling at IvyTech. A confirmation can either be printed or emailed once it has been signed.)

After enrollment is complete:

• An Orientation Email with login credentials and information for getting started will be emailed on June 30th.

• Classes open and the summer session begins July 1st.

If no seats are available, students are placed on a waitlist in the order they were drawn. IvyTech is committed to accommodating as many students as possible within our program and will offer seats as they become available.

Lottery results are final, but you may reapply in future enrollment cycles. Students whose name is not pulled during a lottery will be placed on a waitlist.

No, California charter schools are publicly funded and tuition-free.