Enrollment Processes and Procedures:
Bucks County Montessori Charter School follows all of the set guidelines to enrollment as noted in SECTION 1723a of PA Act 22 related to charter school law. To begin the procedure, BCMCS conducts an Open House for the community which is intended to set all the criteria and guidelines of our enrollment procedures. The processes, thereafter, are as follows:
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Development of Application packets;
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Advertisement/Legal ad noting dates and notification for/of founder status;
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Distribution of application packets and open enrollment period
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Lottery;
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Issuance of admission letters and confirmation of enrollment;
There are two requirements for admission in to kindergarten: (1) The child must be 5 years of age by September 1st for kindergarten, 6 years for grade 1, etc. and (2) all required immunizations must be current. For the 2012-13 school year, the admission process will be conducted as followed:
1. The children of the families listed as founders of BCMCS are afforded preferential admission to the charter school in accordance with Act 22. Notification to be made through a placed legal ad.
2. Siblings of students currently enrolled at BCMCS are given the next preferential admission. Letters are sent to families for intent to return as well as notification of sibling’s intent for which we make our collection.
3. Children of families who reside in BCMCS's host school district, Pennsbury, are next selected via a lottery process conducted on the first Thursday in March. The lottery is conducted in an open setting, whereas all of the applicant names are placed on cards and set in a box to be randomly selected. A list is then compiled and place in a numerical fashion. The first selection is made, and then a list of students within the district is assembled.
4. Next, children outside of the host district are selected using the same lottery process.
2012-2013 Enrollment Application Time Schedule
When can I apply for the 2012-2013 school year? The open enrollment period for the for the 2012-2013 school year begins February 1, 2012. (Applications will not be accepted prior to February 1, 2012) All applications must be in the school office by 3:30 PM February 28, 2012 to be included in the lottery. Applications for the 2012-2013 are available on the BCMCS website. Applications for the 2012-2013 school year will not be accepted after February 28, 2012, unless the enrollment period is extended or re-opened by order of the Board of Trustees..
Should I wait until the Open House to hand in the enrollment application? You can, but completed enrollment applications may be brought to the school office daily during the hours of 9:00AM and 3:00PM between 2/1/12 and 2/28/12. In order to be included in the lottery all documents must be attached to the application (proof of residency (2), copy of Birth Certificate and a completed lottery card (the card must be filled out in the office and attached to the application).
Will I have the opportunity to visit the school? An Open House is held the first Thursday evening in February (2/2/2012) between 6:00 and 8:00 PM, and is for ADULTS only. Parents are given the opportunity to meet the BOT, ask their questions, visit the classrooms and meet the teachers. It’s best if parents can arrange for child care so they are free to view the school and address any concern they might have.
When and where is the Lottery? The Lottery for the 2012-2013 school year will be held at 7:30 PM, during the evening of March 1st 2012, in the school's Library, and is open to the public. Results of the lottery represent where you were drawn in the lottery, not whether a spot is available.
Enrollment forms and needed documents:
Click the corresponding link to the appropriate document:
Intent to Return Form (For Returning Students - Form must be completed and returned to the school no later than January 31, 2012.
Sibling/Founder Enrollment Form (For Siblings and/or Children of Founders seeking admission to the school, the forms must be returned no later than February 28, 2012)
Lottery Enrollment Form (For interested New Students - Please bring the completed enrollment form to the school, during school hours between 2/1/2012 and 2/28/2013 with the following documents: * Birth Certificate (2) proofs of residency (utility bill, phone bill, etc.)
* Lottery Card - ONLY AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE.
You must bring your enrollment application into the school in order
to complete the lottery card that is to be attached to the application
and submitted by 3:30 PM on February 28, 2012.
* Children must be 5 years of age before September 1st to enter the
enrollment process for Kindergarten and 6 by September 1st
to enter the enrollment process for First Grade.
Proof of Residency Form: (to be attached to your application)
Frequently Asked Questions concerning enrollment:
When will I know if I’m selected for the 2012-2013 school year? Letters will be
sent to parents on March 30, 2012, officially notifying parents.
Does my child instantly receive transportation when enrolled, and how is it arranged? If the local district provides transportation for its students, children from that district will be bused to BCMCS. The names of students selected for BCMCS will be sent to the local districts and parents will may view busing arrangements via our web site link.
If I’m on the wait list, does it carry over to the next year or do I need to reapply? The wait list is valid for one year only. Applicants must reapply for the lottery each year.
How late in the year is the wait list used to call new students if there is an opening? The list is maintained into the spring of the year as the school tries to maintain full enrollment at all times.
Do I have to have a Montessori background to be a part of the school?
Previous experience for students or parents is not a requirement for selection or will it give a potential student preferential treatment. During the year, parents will have the opportunity to visit classrooms and attend workshops to help them better understand the program.