Southern Wisconsin Times

As the enrollment period concludes at The Lincoln Academy, Chief Education Officer Dr. Kristi Cole explained the procedures involved.

According to the school’s website, The Lincoln Academy, as a charter school, is classified as a public institution that must accept students wishing to join. School leaders collaborate with families of current students to re-enroll for the upcoming year by the end of January. In February, the school initiates its annual enrollment period, accepting applications for new scholars for the forthcoming academic year. Prospective students are required to submit an application documenting proof of Wisconsin residency and a birth certificate. There is no cost associated with attendance or additional eligibility requirements.

Cole said, "We are often asked if applications for the next school year are only accepted during the enrollment period. The simple answer is no." She clarified that completed applications received after midnight on the last day of February are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. "If a seat is available, the scholar will be enrolled for the new year," she said. "If no seat is available, the scholar is placed on a waitlist in the order the application is received behind lottery waitlisted scholars." Cole added that if a student remains on a waitlist and does not gain entry by January of the following year, they must reapply in February as a new waitlist begins in March once the lottery concludes.

The school's website states that if more applications than available slots for a grade level are received during the enrollment period, a public random lottery will be conducted. If necessary for the upcoming school year, this lottery will occur on March 12 to determine enrollment for available seats and establish waitlist order. The lottery system prioritizes students who attended in previous years, siblings of current students, and children of school staff and board members.