Dear Parent/Guardian,

 

Tomorrow, February 19, Ascent Classical Academies will conduct the 2025-2026 enrollment lottery, a required step for any charter school with more student applications than seats available. If you are receiving this email, one or more of your children will be entered into the lottery. Find important information about email notifications and next steps below:

 

How does the enrollment lottery work?

Our enrollment system, PowerSchool, conducts a blind lottery based on a priority system. We allot a certain number of seats per grade and campus in the system, and PowerSchool randomly assigns students by priority grouping (Founding Families, employee children, siblings of currently enrolled students, students who previously attended an Ascent Classical school), then the general population of applicants. 

 

How will I be notified of my child's offer or waitlist placement?

Following the lottery, an email will be sent from noreplyenrollment@powerschool.com for each student, placed or waitlisted, with a link to check his or her placement. The notification email will be sent to the primary contact listed in your student’s application. Please watch your inbox and spam folders to make sure you receive this important notification.

Important Note: At the top of your result window is a line saying “1st” or “2nd” indicating this result is for your first or second choice school. The number within the box (K-9) confirms the grade for your child’s offer. 

How do I accept or decline a seat offer?

The results email from PowerSchool includes a unique link for your child. Once you click on the link, the PowerSchool landing page will give you the option to ACCEPT or DECLINE the seat. Click the respective button to confirm your choice. You will receive an email confirmation for your selection.

 

If my child receives an offer, how much time do we have to make a decision?

All offers expire after 96 hours (four days). You will receive two reminders at 48 and 24 hours prior to expiration.

 

Can my child be placed back on the waitlist if we aren't ready to accept?

If you decline the seat, your child's application will be removed for consideration. To add your child back to the waitlist, email fortmill.info@ascentclassical.org to request the change. We cannot guarantee you will receive another offer.

 

If one of my children receives a seat, will my other child(ren) receive sibling priority for the 2025-2026 school year?

Sibling priority only takes effect once a sibling is enrolled and attending. All siblings of currently enrolled students will receive the sibling priority for the 2025-2026 school year. If your family is new to our school, the sibling priority will go into effect on August 6 when at least one of your students begins attending. Any sibling on the waitlist at this time will receive priority status for any future offers should a seat become available.  

 

If my child is placed on the waitlist, what are the chances he or she will receive an offer before the start of school?

Offers will be made continually through the fall semester as seats become available. Based on current interest, we expect offers to slow down by May as rosters settle.  

 

After accepting a seat, what should we expect next?

The next step in the enrollment process is registration, beginning in March. During registration, parents will update or complete each student's profile and provide documents, such as proof of SC residency, state-required health records, and IEP/504 plans. 

 

What communications will we receive from the school following the lottery?

General campus updates and messaging about the Ascent Classical program will be sent to all parents on our email list at least once per month through the spring. Beginning in April, emails will be sent weekly to parents of registered students with important information about how to prepare for the upcoming school year.

 

Information about the following topics can be found on our school website under the Current Parents tab:

• Academic Program (including curriculum guides)
• 2025-2026 Calendar and Daily Schedule
• Uniforms
• Financial Assistance
• School Lunch Program
• Transportation
• and more ...

If you have not been able to attend a parent information meeting or campus tour, please click here for upcoming dates. 

 

Thank you for your continued interest in Ascent Classical Academy. We recognize every parent has a choice as the primary educator for their child and we look forward to partnering with your family in this pursuit. If you have additional questions, please email fortmill.info@ascentclassical.org to connect with our team.

 

Sincerely,

Ms. Nikki Belcher Dixon

Campus Registrar

Ascent Classical Academy