Frequently Asked Questions

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How does the lottery work?

The date, time and place of the lottery will be communicated to all applicants. The lottery will be open to the public. Lotteries will be held for any grade in which the number of applications exceeds the number of openings. Names will be randomly drawn and applicants admitted based on the order they are selected. The lottery will continue until all names are drawn. Applicants who do not get admitted during the lottery process will be placed on a Waiting List in the order their names were drawn.

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Applications received after the end of the Open Enrollment Period will be added to the waiting lists in the order they are received. For grade levels that still have openings after the lottery, registrants will be admitted on a "first come, first served" basis.

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What is Siblings Preference?

Socrates Academy supports families with multiple children attending the school together. Siblings of current students will be offered the first available seat in their respective grade or placed on a Sibling Priority Waiting List. Siblings are defined as children who have at least one common parent/legal guardian AND are living in the same household at least 50% of the time.

 

When an opening becomes available at a grade level, students will be admitted first from the Sibling Priority Waiting List and then from the regular Waiting List if there are no siblings waiting at that grade level. Children of newly hired staff members will be automatically admitted ahead of students on either waiting list.

 

PLEASE NOTE: A lottery admitted student must attend Socrates Academy in order for siblings drawn under the sibling rule to be able to attend.

 

If registrants who are selected for admission decide NOT to enroll at Socrates Academy, the parents of the next child on the Waiting List for that grade will be notified immediately.

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If I turn my application in early is it prioritized in the lottery?

No, all applications are entered into the lottery at the same time.

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Do I need to be present at the lottery in order for my child to get in?

No. You do not need to be present at the lottery drawing in order for your child to gain placement.

 

Will you give me my child’s number ahead of time?

Yes. Your lottery number will be given to you through email. Please ensure you are using your correct email address when applying for the lottery. 

 

Do siblings automatically get in?

Siblings of current students are given priority in open spaces when there are enough open spaces for siblings. If there are more siblings of current students than open spaces, for example in upper grades, siblings are put into a lottery for placement. Once open spots are filled, all additional names are put onto a wait list.

 

If a space opens up during the school year and I am on the waiting list, how will I be notified?

We notify applicants who are pulled from the wait list by phone or email. 

 

Can I register at two schools while I try to make my decision?

No. The State of North Carolina will not allow you to register at two schools at the same time. If you are registered at Socrates Academy, you will need to officially withdraw before you will be able to register at your new school.

 

How will I be notified if my child is accepted into the school?

Your acceptance packet or wait list number will be sent by email.

 

Will results be posted online?

Yes. You will need to remember your lottery number. Results will be posted the day after the lottery. Applicants who are accepted will be notified by email.

 

How does the lottery work if you have twins?

Twins are entered into the lottery one time because they are treated as one entry. When twins are drawn in the lottery they both will be able to take open positions at the school. 

 

If I’m on the wait list when can I expect to hear if my child got in?

You will be notified by phone or email if a position opens for your child.

 

How are the accepted lottery applicants determined?

The lottery results are determined by a computerized program that randomly selects applicants.

 

My child wasn’t selected in this year’s lottery, will I need to fill out another application next year if I want to apply?

Yes. Each time you wish for your child’s name to be entered in the lottery, you will need to fill out a current application.

 

Can I submit my child’s application even if he does not meet the state age requirement?

No. We will only accept students that meet the state age requirement for the lottery. Your child must be five years old on or before August 31st of the year they are applying for.

 

I applied for two/three of my children for the same program, will all students receive placement?

Only students that are accepted through the lottery process or from the wait list will receive placement.

 

What if I don’t have all of my paperwork to submit with the application?

Student applications will need to be complete with all required paperwork in order to be entered into the lottery.

 

What if I miss the due date for the application but still want to apply?

Any applications received after the due date will not be entered into the lottery but will go to the bottom of the wait list in the order received.

 

Can I call the school to get my lottery results?

We ask that you check your email or the website to see where you have been placed on the list. Results will not be given over the phone.