Who is eligible to enroll? Anyone who resides in NC and will be five years of age by Aug. 31 of the year of enrollment.
Is there a tuition fee to attend? No. TJCA is a tuition-free public charter school.
How old does my child need to be to enroll in Kindergarten? Five years of age by August 31 of the year of enrollment.
Can I apply to attend for grades 10-12? Applicants for grades 10-12 must provide evidence of having completed college preparatory courses in their prior high schools. They must meet with the Guidance Counselor to ensure that an appropriate course of study is followed to satisfy the TJCA graduation requirements, which include two years of Latin, one year of Logic, and one year of Rhetoric.
How many spots are available for next year? This will vary by grade, depending on the number of returning students in each grade. Lotteries are conducted by each grade level.
How do I begin the enrollment process? To begin the process, go to our website's front page and click the "Enroll" button. The application process is entirely online.
What is the enrollment lottery, and how does it work? We begin accepting applications in November. The board sets a deadline for the lottery to close. It is done via a random draw using lottery software. Once the drawing is complete, all applicants are either selected for entry or placed on a waiting list, depending on the number of applicants and available positions.
Are there priorities given to any applicants? Children and siblings of board and staff members who are currently enrolled students are given preference in the lottery. Additionally, when completing the application, the parent can enter one child into the lottery using the surname option. If the child with the surname is selected, the other siblings will move to the top of the waiting list. If the surnamed child is not selected, the other siblings will remain on the waiting list until the surnamed child is chosen. Once the child is chosen, the other students will be selected or placed at the top of the waiting list. If the parent opts for each student to go through the lottery, he will decline the surname option, and the children will not have preferential treatment if one is accepted. If one gets in and the other does not, the one on the waiting list will wait his turn and not be bumped to the top because his sibling got in.
Will you let us know whether our child was accepted? We will email you the lottery results within 24 hours of the drawing. You will be expected to confirm your acceptance of this allotted spot by the date indicated in the email. If we do not hear from you by the specified date, the next student on the waitlist will be offered the spot. After you confirm, you will receive an email with instructions to complete online registration for each child through Infinite Campus.
What happens if my child is not chosen in the lottery? If your child is not chosen, they will be placed on a waiting list. As students decline or make other plans, the next person on the waiting list is notified by email so they can accept the available position.
Do current students need to reapply each year? You don't have to reapply once you're enrolled at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy. Complete the "Intent to Return" form, which will be sent in February, to state your plans to return. If you are not accepted to Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, you must reapply in November of the following year. Applications are NOT carried over.
