Admission Policy

Parents/guardians who are interested in applying to Vision Academy Charter School must complete and submit an online application via PowerSchool by clicking HERE.

The application process is straightforward, requesting basic biographical information (e.g. name, age, etc.), contact details, and other relevant information. For those needing assistance, the school will make staff available to help parents/guardians complete the application.

New Scholar Applications

  • Applications for the 2026-27 school year will be accepted during the “open enrollment” period from July 2025 to September 2026.
  • Applications submitted during this period will apply to the 2026-27 school year (e.g. an application submitted in October 2025 applies to the 2026-27 school year).
  • Interested parents/guardians will complete and submit the application form online here. The application requests basic biographical and contact information and other relevant details.

Admission Unconditioned by Immigration Status

  • A child’s right to be admitted to school is not contingent upon their immigration status. Vision Academy Charter School does not require immigration status documentation as part of the admission process. All children who meet the residency requirements and submit the necessary paperwork are entitled to enroll.
  • School staff will assist parents/guardians in completing the application if needed.

Current Scholar Re-Enrollment

  • The re-enrollment process for current VACS students will begin on January 8, 2026 and will end on January 23, 2026.
  • Current scholars will retain their seats until graduation ONLY if they submit a re-enrollment form by the assigned deadline (i.e. January 23, 2026).
  • Please submit the re-enrollment form by the deadline to avoid the loss of your child’s spot.
  • Parents/guardians must fill out a separate re-enrollment form for each current VACS student.
  • Siblings of current students (including biological, foster, step, and adoptive siblings) will receive preference in the enrollment lottery over non-sibling applicants.

Enrollment Preferences (In Order)

  1. Returning scholars
  2. Siblings of currently enrolled VACS scholars
  3. Children of the founding group/board members and employees
  4. Children residing in the William Penn School District
  5. Children residing in districts other than William Penn

Lottery Process, Rules, and Procedures

  • If the number of applicants exceeds available seats, a manual or electronic lottery will be conducted to create a list of accepted scholars and a waitlist.
  • The lottery will be conducted on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory.
  • Each applicant is assigned a number that is used to identify them in the lottery.
  • Only applications received before February 12, 2026 will be included in the lottery. Applications received after this date will automatically be placed on the waiting list.
  • Scholars residing in the William Penn School District will have preference over scholars from other districts, ensuring that we serve our immediate community first.

Waiting List Information

  • VACS maintains a waiting list for all grades based on the lottery outcome.
  • The waiting list is renewed annually after each lottery. Applicants must re-apply each calendar year to secure a spot on the waiting list. In other words, applications/waitlists do NOT roll over to the next school year.
  • When a scholar is selected through the lottery, the parent/guardian will receive an email requesting specific paperwork by a set deadline. If your child is on the waiting list, please be patient, as your child may not be an initial winner (in the first batch of winners), but he/she can still earn a spot at any point until October 1st (which is when we stop enrolling new students).
  • Applications received after the “open enrollment” period will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, but only after the lottery-generated waiting list has been exhausted.

Registration Process

  • All winning applicants must “accept” the offer on PowerSchool within 7 days and must submit the required documentation by the assigned deadline (i.e. within 14 days of receiving the offer).
  • Families who do not “accept” the offer on PowerSchool within 7 days or do not complete/submit all the necessary paperwork on PowerSchool within 14 days will lose their child’s spot. The offer will be rescinded/retracted, and the seat will be offered to the next student on the waiting list. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.
  • Required documentation for registration includes:
    • Completing all registration questions on PowerSchool
    • Uploading the below documents into PowerSchool:
      • Parent ID
      • Proof of Student Age
      • Two Forms of Proof of Residency
      • Health records (current physical, dental, immunizations)

Limitations on Additional Information

If any additional information is requested beyond proof of age, immunizations, proof of residency, parent’s registration statement, and the home language survey, it will not be used to prevent or delay a student’s admission.

Special Education Admission

Vision Academy Charter School complies with federal Child Find requirements (34 CFR 300.111), which mandate a process for identifying, locating, and evaluating students with disabilities. VACS will conduct awareness activities to inform the public of its special education services and programs and the procedures for requesting these services. Information will be published in the school handbook and on the school website.


Students enrolling for the first time will be screened by a team of teachers (including regular and special education teachers) to identify any need for specialized or intensive education programs or a referral to the student’s home district. Strategies will be implemented to address any student’s identified special needs.