Admission Policy

New Scholar Applications

• Applications for the 2026-27 school year will be accepted during the “open enrollment” period from July 2025 to September 2026.
• Applications submitted during this period will apply to the 2026-2027 school year (e.g., an application submitted in October 2025 applies to the 2026-2027 school year).
• Interested parents/guardians will complete and submit the application form online here (and at VACSE and open houses at accessible community locations). The application requests basic biographical and contact information and other relevant details (e.g., current school, school district of residence).

Admission Unconditioned by Immigration Status:

• A child’s right to be admitted to school is not contingent upon their immigration status. Vision Academy Charter School of Excellence does not require immigration status documentation as part of the admission process. All children who meet the residency requirements and submit the necessary paperwork are entitled to enroll.
• School staff will assist parents or guardians in completing the application if needed.

Current Scholar Re-Enrollment

• The re-enrollment process for current VACSE students will begin on January 7, 2026, and end on January 30, 2026.
• Current scholars will retain their seats until graduation, provided they submit a re-enrollment form by the assigned deadline.
• Please submit the re-enrollment form by the deadline (January 30, 2026) to avoid the loss of the guaranteed spot for the following school year.
• Parents/guardians must fill out a separate re-enrollment form for each student.
• Siblings of current students (including blood, foster, step, and adoptive siblings) will receive preference in the enrollment lottery over non-sibling applicants.

Enrollment Preferences (In Order)

1. Returning VACSE scholars
2. Siblings of currently enrolled VACSE scholars
3. Children of the founding group/board members and employees
4. Scholars residing in the Southeast Delco School District
5. Scholars residing in districts other than Southeast Delco

Lottery Process, Rules, and Procedures

• If the number of applicants exceeds available seats, a manual or electronic lottery will be conducted to create a list of accepted scholars and a waitlist.
• The lottery will be conducted on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Attendance is encouraged but optional.
• Each applicant is assigned a number, which will be used to identify them in the lottery.
• Only applications received before February 19, 2026, will be included in the lottery. Applications received after this date will be placed on the waiting list.
• Scholars residing in the Southeast Delco School District will have preference over scholars from other districts, ensuring that the charter school serves the immediate community first.

Waiting List Information

• VACSE maintains a waiting list for all grades based on the lottery outcome.
• The waiting list is renewed annually after each lottery. Applicants must reapply each calendar year to secure a spot on the waiting list (i.e., applications do not carry over to the next school year).
• When a scholar is selected through the lottery, the parent/guardian will receive a notification requesting specific paperwork by a set deadline. If your child is on the waiting list, please be patient, as the number of available spots typically becomes clear later in the summer.
• Applications received after the “open” enrollment period will be accepted on a “first-come, first-served” basis, but only after the lottery-generated waiting list has been exhausted.

Limitations on Additional Information

If any additional information is requested beyond proof of age, immunizations, proof of residency, parent’s registration statement, and the home language survey, it will not be used to prevent or delay a student’s admission.

Special Education Admission

Vision Academy Charter School of Excellence complies with federal Child Find requirements (34 CFR 300.111), which mandate a process for identifying, locating, and evaluating students with disabilities. VACSE will conduct awareness activities to inform the public about its special education services and programs, as well as the procedures for requesting them. Information will be published in the school handbook and on the school website.

Students enrolling for the first time will be screened by a team of teachers (including regular and special education teachers) to identify any need for specialized or intensive education programs or a referral to the student’s home district. Strategies will be implemented to address any student’s identified special needs.