With the launch of a 4-day school week, Life School has attracted quite a bit of interest in the Dallas area. The district already serves families from 47 cities, and this fall may experience longer wait lists than normal. However, there is a strategic way for new families to save a seat for August enrollment and avoid long waits when the summer rush hits, and it requires urgent action.
By law, charter school districts hold an open application period, followed by a random lottery to determine the order of acceptance. This ensures that charter schools maintain fairness during the enrollment process. It can also mean that popular charter schools have a long list of waiting families, which can make families anxious as they hope to receive word of availability as the new school year approaches.
For families who know they plan to make a change for next school year, there is an alternative to remove the uncertainty – enroll at the charter school this school year before March. Very few schools accept new students after March because of the schedule of the final 9 weeks. But, for families who are willing to make the change in the current school year, there is a short window of opportunity. During a normal school year, some families move away due to circumstances like parent job changes. That means that some seats become available during the current school year.
Life School Chief Enrollment Officer Eddie Davis says, “While the window to save a seat in the current school year is short, it is a great way for parents to save a spot and avoid uncertainty this summer. Several of our elementary campuses have availability in the lower grades that may not exist this fall. Even if a parent wants to enroll in their second choice school now, they can transfer in-district to their first choice school for next school year.”
While the approach has its benefits for elementary school students, it is important to note that opportunity is more limited for middle and high school students. Life Middle Schools and High Schools tend to remain fully enrolled throughout the school year. Additionally, high schools tend to enroll fewer new students for upper grades due to graduation requirements.
If your family is looking to make a change and is interested in joining one of the few 4-day-school-week districts in the State, you may want to consider enrolling at Life School before March. Enrollment is available at lifeschool.net/enroll.
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Life School is a tuition-free, public charter school with campuses in Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Mountain Creek, Red Oak, Oak Cliff and Waxahachie, TX. Life School develops leaders with life skills through strong academics, character training, and partnerships with parents and the community. Its mission is accomplished in part through the financial support of donors who provide scholarships and embrace making students ready to learn, ready to lead and ready for life.
Parents who are interested in enrollment can visit lifeschool.net/learn-about-life. Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is open until March 10, 2023. Partners who would like to support Life School financially can give online at lifeschool.net/give.
