FAQ

Who can enroll? 

Interested families who live in Kern County need to submit an application. Enrollment is open to any family in Kern County. 

 

What do I need to submit to enroll? 

Interested families need to submit a enrollment application for each student  along with the required documents: proof of date of birth and immunization records (or you can bring these documents to the school). 

 

What if there are more students that apply than space in a grade level? 

During the public lottery will take place if we have more Enrollment Forms than spaces available in a specific grade level.

 

How does the lottery work? 

Caat will identify the grade levels for which a lottery will be required. For the grade levels where we have more applicants than spaces we will identify students that meet the enrollment priorities outlined in our charter and conduct a public lottery. We will notify the families of interested students two weeks before the lottery by mail.

 

What are the enrollment priorities? 

The order of priority is as follows:

1. Siblings of currently enrolled students.

2. Children of Caat employees.

3. Children who attend Franklin Elementary School.

4. Children who attend Bakersfield City School District. 

5. All other applications of students who reside in Kern County. 

 

What happens after I am accepted? 

You will receive notification shortly after the lottery if your child(ren) have been admitted. That communication will include information about when and where you can pick up your Enrollment Packet and what needs to be turned in for each student. Once notified, you will have two (2) weeks to submit your enrollment packet. If the complete enrollment packet is not submitted within two (2) weeks the student’s spot will be forfeited and given to the first student on the waitlist.

 

What happens if I am not accepted?

Families who are on the waitlist and not accepted throughout the school year must reapply each year during the open enrollment period. 

 

How does the waitlist work?

Once the maximum capacity has been reached for each grade, the remaining student names (or numbers) will be drawn and then placed on a waiting list in the order in which they are drawn. Students on the waiting list will then be notified by mail immediately if a space becomes available.

 

What happens if I submit my application after the enrollment window closes? 

If the grade level you are applying for is at maximum capacity, your student will be added to a waitlist based on priority for the 2024-2025 school year. If and when a space becomes available, you will be notified by mail regarding your student’s admission.

 

What are Charter Schools? Why do they exist?

A. Charter Schools are publicly funded independent schools established by teachers, parents, or community groups under the terms of a charter with a local or national authority.

 

Charter Schools provide:

• Parent Choice

• Innovation

• Greater flexibility in return for greater accountability

• Incubators of best practices that share out best practices with the rest of the education system

 

Are Charter Schools Public Schools?

YES. All charter schools, including Synergy’s elementary, middle, and high schools are public schools. Public schools receive state and federal funding, are free to attend and open to all students. 

 

Do Charter Schools Charge Tuition?

NO. Charter Schools, including Synergy’s schools, are all free, public schools, and there is no tuition.

 

Who Can Attend a Charter School?

Charter Schools are open to all students, admitted by public, random lottery.