When can I apply?

Open enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year will be open from December 1, 2023 through February 10, 2024 at 11:59PM.  Any applications received after February 10, 2024 will be date and time stamped and held until the lottery is completed.  They will be placed on the wait list in the appropriate grade immediately following the lottery.  We will continue to accept applications until September 30, 2024. 

Information regarding the enrollment process, priority groups and weighting can all be found in our Enrollment Policy here.

If I currently have a child attending Bradford Preparatory School, are my other children guaranteed spots at Bradford Preparatory School for this coming year?

Charter school law allows us to give siblings of current students priority at the time of our lottery. If we have more siblings that apply for a grade than there are spots available, we will hold a sibling lottery prior to the open enrollment lottery.  To be eligible for our sibling lottery, you must enter an application for the siblings during the open enrollment period.  Any applications received after the open enrollment period will be placed in the next available spot on the wait list.

How will you decide if a lottery is needed?

In the case where there are more applicants for a specific grade level than there are available spots, we will hold a lottery for that grade. 

How can I improve my chances in the lottery?

The lottery is, by its very nature, random.  It does not matter if you submit your application on November 1st or January 20th.  If the application arrives during the open enrollment period it will be placed in the lottery. 

When will the 2024 lottery be held?

A public lottery will be held in February 13, 2024 at 5PM.  You do not need to be present at the lottery to receive admission to the school.  We will post the lottery results on the website within 5 business days.

​What happens if I submit my application after the open enrollment period has ended?

If you submit your application after the open enrollment period ends on February 10, 2024, the student will be placed on the wait list in the appropriate grade immediately following the lottery, of if the lottery has already occurred, as the application is received.

What should I do if I submit an application but don’t receive the confirmation email?

If you are sure that you have correctly submitted an application but have not yet received the confirmation email, please check your junk mail folder first and add the email address to your safe senders list.  If you still can’t find your confirmation email with your application number, please email us at [email protected] to confirm that your application has been received.

If I am placed on the wait list this year, will that carry over until next year?

The wait list does not carry over to the following year. You will have to submit a new application every year.  Once you are enrolled at Bradford Prep you are guaranteed a spot in subsequent years.

Does the student have to be a resident of North Carolina at the time of the lottery?

Yes, the only admissions requirement is that the student is a resident at the time they submit their application. 

Are there any admissions requirements?

No, to be eligible for admission, students simply need to be eligible for public education in North Carolina.  Anyone wishing to enroll must complete an application to be considered for enrollment.  As a public charter school, we welcome students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.  No tuition or any other fees are required to attend our school.  Students must be 5 years old by August 31st to register for Kindergarten.

What grade should I apply for if I am not sure if my child will be retained for the coming year?

When you are submitting your application you are required to submit the application for the grade your current school would have assigned for the child next year.  Unless you have already been notified by your current school that your child will be retained, you must enter the child for the subsequent grade level.  If it is determined that the child should be retained by the Head of School of Bradford Preparatory School, the student will continue to be enrolled at the school, but would be transferred to the appropriate grade.

What is the age requirement for Kindergarten?

As per NC law, the student must be 5 years old by August 31st to be eligible for public school.

If one of my children is accepted this year but the others are not, will they have enrollment priority next year?

Siblings of students currently attending Bradford Prep will be given priority for placement in subsequent years.  While we are hopeful to place these siblings within a year, it is possible that it could take longer depending upon the number of siblings for a specific grade level and the number of available spots that year.

How will I find out if my child has received acceptance to the school? 

Bradford Preparatory School will post the results of the lottery on the website within 5 business days of the lottery. If a student has been admitted to the school, the parent/guardian of the student will be contacted via email. Parents of students placed on the waitlist will not receive communication via email or mail as to their students place on the waitlist.  They will be asked to look at the waitlist information placed online to determine their spot on the wait list.

Who is considered a sibling?

According to North Carolina charter school law, specifically House Bill 250, the definition of "siblings" include any of the following who reside in the same household: half siblings, stepsiblings, and children residing in a family foster home.

Where can I read more about charter school law pertaining to admissions?

Please review House Bill 250 as it has the most up to date version of the law as far as admissions is concerned.

How do I accept admission to the school?

Upon receiving notice of admission to Bradford Prep, you will be asked to accept or decline.  The Parent must submit the Enrollment Packet within the specified time period for the student to be officially enrolled.  Once admission has been accepted online and the enrollment packet has been received, the student will be considered enrolled at the school and cannot lose their seat.  Accepting admission online, but failing to return the enrollment packet within the specified time period will result in the student's offer for admission being rescinded.  The enrollment packet includes a release of records form for student records from the child's previous school, IEP information (if applicable), the home language survey questions, a copy of the child’s birth certificate, transfer request forms and Proof of Residency documentation.  Each family will be expected to complete all information as required by the NC DPI, which may include the Household Income Survey and proof of residence in NC. 

Will enrolled students have to re-apply every year? 

Current students at Bradford Prep will not be required to re-enroll.  They will be asked to sign a letter of intent for the coming year in May to allow the school time to prepare for the coming year.

What if my children have half siblings living in another household?  Can they be placed on the same application?

No, according to North Carolina law, siblings residing in separate residences must be submitted on separate applications and will not receive sibling priority in subsequent years.

If we know we will be moving to North Carolina before the school year begins, can we apply during the open enrollment period?

No, students must be residents of the state of North Carolina at the time their application is submitted.