Enrollment
Purpose of the Enrollment Policy
The purpose of this Enrollment Policy is to establish clear, transparent, and equitable procedures for student application, selection, and enrollment at C.A. Fredd Jr. Career and Technical Academy (“C.A. Fredd Academy”). This policy aims to ensure a fair and consistent process that adheres to applicable Alabama state laws, provides opportunities for all eligible students, and supports the school’s mission of fostering academic excellence, workforce readiness, and community engagement. This document outlines the application period, student recruitment and engagement plan, as well as policies for waitlists, withdrawals, re-enrollment, and transfers.
I. Tentative Dates for Application Period, Enrollment Deadlines, and Procedures
- Open Enrollment Period
- The open enrollment period for the 2026-2027 academic year will begin on December 1, 2025 and end on February 28, 2026. This period will be no less than 60 days. Specific dates for the enrollment period will be posted on the school website and communicated through social media, email newsletters, and local community outreach.
- Applications will be accepted online through the Lotterease platform, accessible via the school’s website. Paper applications will be available upon request for families who cannot access the online application.
- Families will be notified about the lottery results within 10 business days following the close of the application period.
- Enrollment Deadlines
- After the lottery is held, selected students must complete their enrollment by March 31, 2026. Families will have 30 days from notification to submit all required documents and complete the enrollment process.
- Families who do not complete the enrollment process within the specified timeframe will forfeit their child’s spot, and the next student on the waitlist will be contacted.
- Enrollment Requirements To complete enrollment, families must submit the following documentation:
- Proof of Alabama residency
- Immunization records
- Permission to request current school records
- Other forms as required by the state of Alabama
II. Timeline and Plan for Student Recruitment, Engagement, and Enrollment
- Pre-Enrollment Recruitment and Engagement (September – November 2025)
- Community Outreach and Recruitment: In the months leading up to the open enrollment period, the school will conduct a variety of recruitment activities aimed at engaging with prospective families. These activities include:
- Hosting informational webinars and open house events (both virtual and in-person) to provide families with information about the school’s academic programs, vocational tracks, and the admissions process.
- Distributing marketing materials (e.g., brochures, social media posts, email newsletters) in local community centers, schools, and businesses.
- Attending school fairs, community events, and partnering with local organizations to reach underrepresented populations.
- Collaborating with local government offices and organizations to reach economically disadvantaged families and those who may not be aware of charter school options.
- Application and Open Enrollment Period (December 2025 – February 2026)
- During the open enrollment period, prospective students and their families can apply via the Lotterease platform. Paper applications will be accepted if necessary.
- Applications must be fully completed and submitted during the open enrollment window to be considered.
- Families will be notified about the lottery results no later than March 10, 2026.
- Post-Lottery Follow-Up and Enrollment (March 2026 – April 2026)
- Families of selected students will be notified via email and phone about their child’s lottery selection and the next steps in the enrollment process.
- Enrollment paperwork must be completed by March 31, 2026.
- If any families do not complete enrollment by the deadline, the student will forfeit their spot, and the next student on the waiting list will be contacted.
III. Policies and Procedures for Student Waiting Lists, Withdrawals, Re-enrollment, and Transfers
- Waiting List Procedures
- In the event that there are more applicants than available spots, a randomized lottery will be conducted, and all students not selected will be placed on a waitlist based on their position in the lottery.
- If a spot becomes available after the lottery (due to a student withdrawal, transfer, or other reasons), the next student on the waitlist will be notified and offered the available spot.
- Students will be contacted in order from the waitlist and have 5 business days to accept or decline the spot.
- Families who are not selected in the lottery will remain on the waitlist until August 1, 2026. After this date, families will be removed from the waitlist and may reapply for the next academic year.
- Collaborating with local government offices and organizations to reach economically disadvantaged families and those who may not be aware of charter school options.
- Withdrawals and Transfers
- Families who choose to withdraw their child from the school must notify the school in writing at least 15 business days in advance of the intended withdrawal date.
- If a student leaves during the academic year, their spot will be offered to the next student on the waitlist. If no waitlist exists or the waitlist is not currently active, a new applicant may be admitted.
- Students who withdraw and wish to re-enroll in future years must go through the regular admissions process, including the lottery, unless they are granted a re-enrollment priority (e.g., siblings of currently enrolled students or children of staff).
- Re-Enrollment Process
- Current students will not need to reapply each year. However, all parents will be asked to sign a non-binding letter of intent by November 1, 2026, confirming their child’s intention to return for the next academic year.
- The re-enrollment letter of intent will help the school plan for the number of spots available for new applicants and ensure that accurate enrollment numbers are provided to the Alabama State Department of Education.
- Transfer Policy
- Transfer students who wish to attend C.A. Fredd Academy mid-year must apply through the standard application process, including the lottery if spaces are available.
- Transfers from other schools within the district or out-of-district will be handled according to state guidelines, with priority given to siblings of current students and children of full-time employees.
IV. Pre-Admission Activities for Students and Parents
- Pre-Admission Information Sessions
- To help families understand the admissions process and make informed decisions, C.A. Fredd Academy will host pre-admission informational sessions:
- Information webinars and in-person events will be offered throughout the application period (November – February). These sessions will provide an overview of the school’s programs, admissions procedures, and what parents and students can expect during the application process.
- Pre-admission meetings will include presentations on the school’s academic offerings, vocational training options, admissions priorities, and the lottery system.
- School Tour and Meet-and-Greet Opportunities
- Before finalizing their application, prospective families are encouraged to attend a campus tour or meet-and-greet event, where they can tour the school, ask questions, and meet faculty, staff, and current students.
- These tours and events will be scheduled monthly, with additional sessions scheduled in the two weeks prior to the start of the open enrollment period.
- Academic and Vocational Assessment
- In some cases, students may be invited to attend a pre-admission academic and vocational assessment session to help determine appropriate placement in the school’s programs. This is especially true for students applying to specialized vocational tracks such as robotics, welding, or computer science. These assessments ensure that students are placed in programs that best align with their interests and abilities.
- Parent Engagement and Support
- In an effort to engage parents early in the admissions process, C.A. Fredd Academy will offer workshops and informational sessions for parents on topics such as:
- Navigating the admissions process
- Understanding the school’s academic and vocational programs
- Supporting students through their educational journey at C.A. Fredd Academy
- These sessions are designed to help parents understand their role in their child’s education,
address any concerns they may have, and provide necessary resources.
The Enrollment Policy at C.A. Fredd Jr. Career and Technical Academy will ensure an equitable, transparent, and inclusive process for all students. By establishing clear timelines, recruitment strategies, and detailed procedures for waitlists, withdrawals, re-enrollment, and transfers, the school is committed to providing every eligible student with the opportunity to succeed academically and vocationally. With an emphasis on pre-admission activities and parent involvement, C.A. Fredd Academy aims to foster a strong partnership between students, families, and the school community, ensuring that all students are supported in their educational journey.
Lottery Process and Ensuring Fairness and Equity in Admissions
In compliance with Alabama state law, when the number of students applying for admission exceeds the number of available spaces, C.A. Fredd Jr. Career and Technical Academy will utilize a random lottery to determine student admission. The goal of the lottery process is to ensure that all applicants have an equal and fair opportunity to secure a spot at the school. To promote transparency, equity, and trust in the process, we have developed clear procedures and safeguards for the lottery and associated processes.
- Application Submission and Timeframe
The lottery process begins after the open enrollment period, which is announced in advance through the school’s website and other communication channels. All applications must be submitted during the designated enrollment window, which lasts no less than 30 days, to be eligible for the lottery. Applications will be collected electronically through Lotterease, a third-party platform used to manage the lottery process, ensuring an efficient and impartial application review.
- Lottery Eligibility
Only completed applications submitted during the open enrollment period will be eligible for the lottery. Each application will be time-stamped upon receipt, and incomplete or late applications will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list, outside of the lottery process. Families who are unable to submit an online application may request a paper form, which will also be accepted as part of the lottery.
- Lottery Process
Once the open enrollment period ends, a randomized lottery will be conducted to determine which students will be admitted to the school for the upcoming academic year. This lottery will be conducted by Lotterease, and it will be public—with families invited to witness the lottery process (either in person or via live streaming, as appropriate). The lottery will select students in a transparent manner, ensuring that the selection process is entirely random and unbiased.
- Priority Groups and Weighted Lottery
In alignment with state law, certain groups of students will receive priority in the lottery process, in the order listed below:
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- Children of full-time employees and board members (up to 15% of the total student population).
- Siblings of currently enrolled students (this includes full siblings, half-siblings, step-siblings, and children in a family foster home).
- Siblings applying in the same year as other siblings, provided they were not previously admitted due to grade-level capacity.
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Additionally, the school will conduct a weighted lottery to ensure that at least 30% of the student body is composed of students from economically diverse backgrounds. Families wishing to participate in the weighted lottery will have the option to self-select this option during the application process. To confirm eligibility, families who are selected in the weighted lottery will be asked to provide supporting documentation of their free or reduced lunch status. If documentation is not provided, the student will be moved to the general waitlist.
- Sibling and Multiple Birth Sibling Policy
If multiple siblings apply during the same year, they will be grouped together under one unique lottery registration number. The oldest sibling will be designated as the “Primary Registrant,” and the placement of the primary registrant will determine the enrollment of all other siblings in the bundle. If the primary registrant is selected and space is available in their grade, all siblings in the bundle will be admitted. If no space is available for one or more siblings, they will be placed on the waitlist for their respective grade level. Similarly, for multiple birth siblings (e.g., twins or triplets), they will be treated as a single unit within the lottery. If at least one of the siblings is selected and space remains in their grade level, all siblings will be admitted. If there is no space available, the siblings will be placed together on the waitlist.
- Notification of Lottery Results
After the lottery is completed, families will be notified via email about the results. The names of students selected for admission will be posted on the Lotterease platform, and families will have the opportunity to confirm their selection status. Families will be given a defined period (usually within 7 days) to accept or decline the offered spot.
- Enrollment Process After Lottery Selection
Students who are selected in the lottery will be required to complete the enrollment process through the third-party platform Enrollease. Families will have 30 days to complete this process after receiving notification. If a family does not complete the enrollment process within this period, the student will forfeit their spot, and the next student on the waitlist will be contacted.
- Waitlist Management
Students who are not selected during the lottery will be placed on a waitlist in the order in which their names were drawn. If a spot becomes available during the enrollment period (or later in the academic year due to a student withdrawal or other reason), the next student on the waitlist will be offered admission. Waitlisted families will be notified promptly by the school if a spot becomes available.
- Transparency and Equity Measures>
To ensure that the lottery process is as fair and transparent as possible, the following measures will be implemented:
- The lottery will be publicly conducted and overseen by the school’s leadership team to ensure adherence to the policy.
- All families will have access to the application and lottery results via the Lotterease platform, allowing them to track the progress and outcome of their application.
- Clear communication regarding the eligibility criteria for the weighted lottery and priority groups will be provided to all applicants, ensuring that families are fully informed of the process before submitting applications.
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