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APPLICATION PROCESS

How do I enroll my child at an EQUITAS ACADEMY school in Los Angeles? 

Equitas Academy Schools are open to all students in California. Completing the interest form does not guarantee admission to Equitas Academy. Admission priority will first be given to siblings of currently enrolled students and children of teachers and staff (up to a cap of 10% of enrollment); further admissions priority will be given to students who live within the boundaries of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Admission will be granted to students whose names are drawn in the lottery to be held in March 2023 at each Equitas Academy school site. All other applicants will be placed on a waiting list in the order their names are drawn.The waiting list will not carry over from year to year. Students who do not attend the school must fill out a new application in future years.  Please check the website at www.equitasacademy.org for further information.  If you have questions or need assistance completing an application, please call (213) 201-0440.

Equitas Academy Schools do not require a parent/legal guardian/student to provide information regarding a student’s disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, legal or economic status, primary language or English Learner status, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in section 422.55 of the Penal Code, or any other information that would violate federal or state law, prior to admission, participation in any admissions or attendance lottery, or pre-enrollment event or process, or as a condition of admission or enrollment.  

Equitas Academy Schools do not request or require submission of a student’s IEP, 504 Plan, or any other record or related information prior to admission, participation in any admissions or attendance lottery, or pre-enrollment event or process, or as a condition of admission or enrollment.

In order to enroll a child at an EQUITAS ACADEMY school, parents must submit an interest form to the school in which they would like to enroll during the interest period. A single interest form cannot be used for multiple children. A separate interest form must be submitted for every child in a family.  Interest forms may be submitted online via Equitas Academy’s website (www.equitasacademy.org) or in person at the front office of any school. The deadline for lottery consideration is March 1st, 2023. If the school receives more interest forms than it has spaces for students, a lottery will be held to determine admission, as is required by law.

What is the lottery? How does the waitlist work? How will I be notified if my child is selected? 

Each year, EQUITAS ACADEMY's schools have a fixed number of seats available for all incoming grade levels. If we receive more interest forms than there are available spaces, admission will be determined by a lottery, as required by law. The amount of spaces varies by school and grade. The lottery is a method for ensuring each student has an equal opportunity to be accepted. Students will have two weeks to accept their lottery offer by completing enrollment at the school.

Once all available seats have been filled, the lottery continues to generate the waitlist. All remaining students are placed on the waitlist in the order that they are drawn. In the event a space becomes available, students are called from the waitlist. 

All parents will be notified of their student's acceptance status and/or number on the waitlist shortly after the lottery is completed. Your attendance at the lottery is encouraged but not mandatory.  In order to ensure you receive prompt notification, be sure to list an accurate mailing address and phone number on your interest form. If your address or phone number changes, please notify the school as soon as possible so they can reach you.

REQUIREMENTS

How old does my child have to be to attend?

Like all public schools in California, students must turn five years old by a specific date in order to enroll in kindergarten at EQUITAS ACADEMY's elementary schools in a given year. For the 2023-24 school year and each school year thereafter, the date is September 1. For example, if you would like to enroll your child in kindergarten at a EQUITAS ACADEMY elementary school for the 2023-24 school year, your child must turn five years old on or before September 1, 2023. 

If your child’s fifth birthday is between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024, your child qualifies for Transitional Kindergarten (TK).

What is Transitional Kindergarten (TK)?

TK is a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate. A child is eligible for TK if his or her fifth birthday falls between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024.

If a child’s fifth birthday falls after April 2, 2024, they are deemed too young for TK and Kindergarten and will have to wait to apply for the following school year. 

How much does it cost to apply or attend?

There is no cost to apply or attend a EQUITAS ACADEMY school. All of EQUITAS ACADEMY's schools are free public schools.

Does my child have to take any entrance exams? 

There are no required entrance exams for admission to EQUITAS ACADEMY's schools. Our schools are open enrollment. All students are welcomed. 

What are the preferences given to applicants?

EQUITAS ACADEMY's schools are required to give preference to students living within the Los Angeles Unified School District. Each school may also give preference to the siblings of current students at a given EQUITAS ACADEMY school. Sibling is defined as a student's brother or sister, or as sharing the same legal guardian.

What if I do not live in Los Angeles?

EQUITAS ACADEMY's schools are required to give preference to students living within the boundaries of the Los Angeles Unified School District. However, we occasionally are able to accept students from other municipalities, space permitting.

DEADLINES AND DATES

When is the deadline to submit an interest form for the 2023-24 school year?

EQUITAS ACADEMY will begin accepting Interest Forms for the 2023-24 lottery beginning October 12th, 2022. Interest forms submitted on or before March 1st, 2023 will be given lottery consideration.

What happens if I miss the interest period deadline?

If you miss the March 1st, 2023 deadline for interest forms and a lottery has been required, your student's name will be placed at the end of the waitlist. If there was not a sufficient number of interest forms to require a lottery, students will be admitted or placed on the waitlist in the order that interest forms are received. 

When will I find out if my child is accepted?

If required, lotteries will be held for EQUITAS ACADEMY SCHOOLS in early March 2023. All lottery participants will be notified of the exact time and location of the lottery. Applicants do not need to be present at the lottery to be accepted. Parents/Guardians should expect to receive a phone call indicating admission or waitlist status on that date. Admitted applicants will have two weeks after lottery to accept and complete registration forms.

ABOUT THE SCHOOLS

What grades are available for 2023-24?

Do you take students with special needs and/or have an IEP?

Yes. EQUITAS ACADEMY does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. Currently, approximately 10% of our students have special needs or an IEP.

What are your school hours? How long is the school day?

School begins at approximately 8:00 a.m. and ends with dismissal at 3:00 p.m at the Elementary Schools and begin at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. at the Middle Schools. Scholars are greeted with a handshake from a school leader and head to their classroom for a day of rigorous instruction. English Language instruction includes 180 instructional minutes daily, including read-alouds and four literacy blocks. There are also two 40-minute Mathematics blocks provided each day. The Core Teaching includes 40 minutes of alternating Social Studies and Science instruction. In addition, students attend a 40-minute Enrichment class taught by an enrichment teacher, which includes alternating classes of movement, art, drama, technology, and/or music. On Fridays, the schedule is shortened for teacher professional development. The shortened schedule releases students at 1:15 pm.

Do you provide busing or transportation?

We do not provide busing or transportation for students.

When is the first day of school?

The first day of school for the 2023-24 school is expected to be September 1, 2023. The final academic calendar is released each Spring. 

Do you offer lunch services?

EQUITAS ACADEMY SCHOOLS is proud to participate in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program. Many EQUITAS ACADEMY families are eligible for free or reduced price lunch. We are proud to serve Revolution Foods in all of our schools.

How can I contact the school?

Please visit the school's website for contact information. (www.equitasacademy.org)

What is the school calendar?

The school calendar, when complete, will be made available on the website.

What is EQUITAS ACADEMY?

EQUITAS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOLS are free public schools for families who believe their children deserve a high-quality education and challenging school experience. Our school model offers credentialed, passionate, and dedicated teachers and staff who are experts in their field.

We value:

• High Expectations - Structured and disciplined classrooms, school-wide behavioral code of conduct, and school uniforms

• College Readiness - Extended school day and year, enrichment activities, and preparation to enter top-performing middle, high schools, and, ultimately, college

• A Family Partnership - Ongoing communication with parents about academic and behavioral progress, at-home visits by staff, and family workshops

• A Safe & Supportive School Community - We help our children make positive choices through our school values of curiosity, optimism, gratitude, grit, self-control, social intelligence, and zest.