Enrollment Policies and Lottery Procedures
Introduction
Two Rivers Community School is a tuition-free public school. A random lottery process determines which students are admitted. Two Rivers does not discriminate on the basis of any race, color, or national origin in the administration of educational policies, admissions procedures, or any other school programs.
The school was formed under the Charter Schools Act of 1996. As prescribed by law, TRCS does not charge tuition but may charge reasonable fees similar to the fees charged by other public schools.
Enrollment Timeline- In General
First week in January: Mid-year enrollment for the current school year ends.
Mid-March: Enrollment Begins for the following school year
Third week in April: Lottery Applications Due
Fourth Monday in April at Board of Directors meeting: Admissions Lottery
All students eligible for enrollment in any North Carolina public school is eligible for enrollment at Two Rivers Community School. The admissions lottery will determine student admission, and establish a wait-list for classes that are full. Applications submitted after the April 23rd deadline for fully enrolled classes will be added to the end of the waitlist in the order that they are received.
New Applicant Procedures
Call (828-262-5411) or email (info@trcsboone.org) the office to learn more about Two Rivers Community School and to schedule a tour.
For post-lottery (i.e., After April) or mid-year enrollments, call for information about class availability and complete the Registration Form .
Lottery FAQ
Does completing the lottery application sooner increase my student’s chances?
No. All forms submitted by April 21 at noon have an equal chance of being selected, with the exception of the enrollment priorities listed below.
How is the lottery completed?
The lottery will take place at the beginning of the April Board of Directors meeting.
Prior to the lottery enrollment priorities will be recorded and the number of spaces in each class will be made public. In addition, cards with names and grade levels of applicants will be placed in individual envelopes with only the grade level recorded on the outside of the envelope.
Starting with Kindergarten and progressing through 8th grade, envelopes will be randomly drawn and recorded until each class is full. If there are envelopes remaining, they will be pulled and the order will be noted in order to create a waitlist.
The next day, parents will be notified by email and phone call.
What are enrollment priorities?
By law, Two Rivers may give enrollment priority to:
children of full-time staff
siblings of currently enrolled students (including half-siblings, step-siblings, and children residing in a family foster home)
siblings of students who have completed the highest grade-level offered by the school
multiple birth siblings: if multiple birth siblings apply for admission and a lottery is needed, one envelope will be created for the family and if it is pulled, both siblings will be admitted.
Two Rivers chooses to give preference to students who are educationally disadvantaged. This includes children who:
qualify for free and reduced lunch
have an IEP
are homeless
are English language learners
are immigrants or migrants
Can Two Rivers refuse admission to students?
The school may refuse admission to any student who has been expelled or suspended from a public school until the period of suspension or expulsion has expired. The director will determine whether a student should be refused admission following the completion of the application procedure.
Enrollment Procedures
1. Within two weeks of notification of acceptance for enrollment, families must officially accept by completing an enrollment form or the students spot will go to the next person on the waitlist.
2. These documents must be submitted for each student no later than May 31 (or the last Friday of May):
· copy of birth certificate
· immunization record or school-recognized alternative documentation
· social security number
· records transferred from previous school
· documents to support educational disadvantage priority (the school will support families in submitting these documents)
If these documents are not received by the deadline, the family will receive written notification that acceptance is withdrawn and the next student on the waiting list for that grade will be accepted and notified.
2. A parent or guardian of all accepted students must attend the annual orientation meeting held prior the beginning of the school year.
Student Completion of Enrollment
To complete the enrollment process, both new and continuing students must attend class at the beginning of the school year.
1. Each student must attend classes on the first day of school. If a student cannot attend the first day of classes, written notice must be provided by a parent or guardian. Students absent for more than the first five days of school will be removed from school rolls and the first child on the waiting list for that grade will be enrolled. While the school will attempt to contact the family of students who miss the first day(s) of school, it is the responsibility of families to notify the school if a student cannot attend the first day(s) of school.
2. In accordance with the Student Information Management System (SIMS) guidelines of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, students who attend the first day of classes but accumulate ten consecutive, unexcused absences in the first 20 school days will be removed from the school rolls.
Note: Excused absences include illness or injury, quarantine, death in the immediate family, medical or dental appointments, court or administrative proceedings, religious holidays or observances, and valid educationally excused absences up to ten days with approval from the director or the Board of Directors requested at least two weeks prior to the absence. The NCDPI does not consider a valid educational opportunity with approval prior to the absence an acceptable legal absence until after the child has attended school and completed enrollment.