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Novato Charter School

Guide students to discover their individual gifts, build connections with others, and foster a love of learning

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… > Enrollment > How to Apply

How to Apply

Eligibility

All students who reside in the state of California are eligible for admission to the Novato Charter School.

Application Procedure

Parents of prospective students must complete and submit an online (paper copies can be submitted if needed) application each year to participate in the annual enrollment lottery.  Applications do not carry over from year to year. The deadline for applications is the last Sunday in February.

Parents of prospective students are strongly encouraged to attend a school tour prior to the lottery date and to carefully consider the School and Family Partnership Agreement before applying.

We use Lotterease to run our annual lottery. Lotterease is an independent automated lottery system.

Register for the Novato Charter School Lottery here

Link for the Lotterease login page

View anonymous applicant/lottery results

Lotterease Parent Manual

The Lotterease Seal of Transparency and Fairness

Sign up for a School Tour Here

Lottery Information

If there are more applications than spaces available in any grade level, NCS will hold a lottery at the completion of the open enrollment period.

All applications will be separated by grade level and enrollment priority as follows:

1.      Children of NCS employees

2.      Siblings of students admitted to or attending NCS.

3.      Students residing in the Novato Unified School District (NUSD).

4.      Students residing outside of NUSD.

When an opening occurs, applicants will be notified via email in order of wait-list rank to determine their interest and to complete the enrollment process. After direct contact has been made, applicants will be given one (1) business day to respond. Should they fail to accept or fail to respond, NCS will offer the opening to the next applicant in rank order.

Completing the enrollment procedure includes a family conference (all grades), and an orientation (kindergarten only).

The student’s age must match the correct age range for the class in which you plan to enroll. You will need to submit a birth certificate when you submit enrollment paperwork.

NCS has the right to refuse admission to any child whose birth date falls outside of the age requirements of each grade level.

To qualify for the in-district priority group in the lottery, the student’s primary residence must be in the Novato Unified School District prior to the enrollment lottery. You will need to submit two proofs of residency at the time you submit enrollment paperwork. Acceptable documents include Utility bill (current bill within 30 days), Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, Lease agreement, Current property tax bill, Valid California Driver’s License, Current pay stub, or bank statement recent within 30 days. You can check here to see if you are a resident of NUSD: https://nusd.org/nusd-school-boundary-maps/ 

All steps in the application process must be completed every year for admission consideration.

Any information that is misrepresented on the Application for Admission could invalidate eligibility for enrollment in the Novato Charter School.

NCS follows a developmental approach and therefore has different requirements for minimum age in each grade level. Grades are determined by the ages and dates listed below.

Transitional
Kindergarten:
5 years old between June 2 and April 2 of the school year for which the applicant is seeking enrollment
Kindergarten: 5 years or older by June 1st, prior to the school year for which the applicant is seeking enrollment
First Grade: 6 years or older by June 1 prior to the school year for which the applicant is seeking enrollment
Second Grade: 7 years or older by June 1 prior to the school year for which the applicant is seeking enrollment
Third Grade: 8 years or older by June 1 prior to the school year for which the applicant is seeking enrollment
Fourth Grade: 9 years or older by June 1 prior to the school year for which the applicant is seeking enrollment
Fifth Grade: 10 years or older by June 1 prior to the school year for which the applicant is seeking enrollment
Sixth Grade: 11 years or older by June 1 prior to the school year for which the applicant is seeking enrollment
Seventh Grade: 12 years or older by June 1 prior to the school year for which the applicant is seeking enrollment
Eighth Grade: 13 years or older by June 1 prior to the school year for which the applicant is seeking enrollment

Admission Policies and Procedures (4870-7146-0866.v3)

Students with Special Needs

NCS complies with all applicable state and federal laws in serving students with disabilities including, but not limited to, Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act. The Novato Charter School intends to function as a “public school of the local education agency (LEA) that granted the charter” for purposes of providing special education and related services pursuant to Education Code Section 47641 (b).

NCS complies with all applicable federal laws in regard to services and the education of English Language Learner (ELL) students. NCS develops, implements, and maintains policies and procedures for the provision of services to ELL students in accordance with state and federal mandates.

NCS Complaint Notice

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Contact

Novato Charter School
940 “C” Street
Novato, CA 94949

FAX 415-883-1859

Main phone 415-883-4254

Attendance phone 415-883-1719

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Board Meeting Agendas for Special Board Meetings on March 20 and March 21, 2023

Board Agenda for March 8th, 2023 – 5:30 PM

Board Agenda for February 8th, 2023 – 4:00 PM

Board Agenda for December 14th, 2022 – 5:00 PM

Board Meeting Agenda for November 17th, 2022 at 6:00 PM

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NON-DISCRIMINATION The Novato Charter School prohibits, at school or any school activity, discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment, intimidation, and bullying, based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. This shall apply when applicable, to interns, volunteers, and job applicants. For questions, concerns or complaints, please contact the Title IX Compliance Officer: Nikki Lloyd, Director - 940 “C” Street, Novato, CA 94949; (415) 883-4254; NovatoCharterHR@NUSD.org · TITLE IX: PROHIBITING SEX-BASED DISCRIMINATION

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