Because charter schools are funded primarily with state and federal money, we are required to follow strict (and often confusing) guidelines in order to ensure that we are being non-discriminatory and impartial in our enrollment. Please ask at the front desk if you have questions or concerns about the process.

What is the purpose for charter school enrollment lotteries?

Lotteries occur only when enrollment exceeds the capacity of the charter school. Therefore, lotteries ensure fairness and impartiality in student registration when enrollment requests exceed the capacity of the school. If enrollment requests were to be at or below the school’s capacity, there would be no lottery because all students who properly apply must be accepted.

May a charter school limit its enrollment to certain students?

No.  A charter school is part of the public education system and must be open to all students, without discrimination, on the same basis as other public schools. If the number of students applying to enroll in a charter school exceeds the capacity of the school or of programs, classes, or grade levels within the school, then those to be admitted are chosen at random (at OCS, a computer-generated lottery) from among the applicants, subject to certain preferences. According to our charter, the following preferences apply at Odyssey:

• Students whose parents were actively involved in the development of the charter school (Founders)
• Students returning from the previous school year
• Students who have a sibling currently attending the charter school
• Students whose parent is a licensed classroom teacher in the charter school

If my child is on a waiting list, what are the chances that they will be accepted later?

If they are not admitted immediately, our computer lottery assigns a priority number for each student on the waiting list. Students are withdrawn from school for many reasons; for example, it is typical to see a turnover of between 5 and 10 students in a single grade in the weeks after school starts. Enrollment is offered to the next student on the waiting list as soon as we have notice of a withdrawal. If a parent turns down an offer, we move to the next on the waiting list until the position is filled.

What should I do if one of my children is admitted, but their sibling(s) aren’t?

Wait and see! It is rare that all students on the sibling preference list are not offered enrollment within the first few weeks of school. State law allows us to give a preference to the siblings of admitted students. This means that, no matter the sibling’s original wait list number, when they have a sibling enrolled they are moved to a separate “sibling preference list” (if there are no immediate openings, these siblings are given a new priority on this waiting list). At Odyssey, we give every effort to enroll families together as soon as possible within the requirements of the law.

What are the most important dates for enrolling at Odyssey Charter School?

November 1 thru February 14 is the first opportunity to register for the next school year. The first lottery will be run on February 15. You may register after February 14, but your student(s) will be included in subsequent lotteries and added to the end of the existing waiting list. New students are admitted at OCS through October 15 of that school year.

Within 30 days, you will be notified by mail of the results of a lottery. You will receive a letter of acceptance or a waitlist number. (If you have a change of mailing address, please be sure to update your online account in order to receive your letter.) You must complete and turn in to the front desk all required registration materials before the letter’s stated deadline or the position will be given to the next student on the waiting list.