(Updated September 2016)
The Enrollment Processes Technical Advisory and the following Enrollment Policy and Practice Frequently Asked Questions provided by Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) should be read carefully and reviewed in its entirety. An answer to one frequently asked question might lead a reader to an inaccurate conclusion when read in isolation from the Department’s guidance and answers to other frequently asked questions. Answers should not be reviewed or relied upon in isolation from the entirety of the Department’s guidance regarding enrollment processes. Please reach out to the Department if you have a question or concern that is not currently found in this FAQ.
Eligibility Criteria
Enrollment Process and Lottery Procedures
Waitlist
Backfilling
Acceptance of an Offer of Admission and Students Attending
General Inquiries
All
8.
May a charter school set eligibility requirements based on age?
Pursuant to 603 CMR 1.05(12), each charter school in its enrollment policy shall specify age thresholds for kindergarten and maximum ages for high school programs that are consistent with state law. Schools with an entry point in kindergarten must specify the minimum age required to seek admission to those grades. For additional information, please see 603 CMR 8.00. A school's charter, enrollment policy, and application for admission should explicitly note the age eligibility for kindergarten.
With respect to setting maximum ages for high school programs, a charter school must serve students who have not yet obtained a high school diploma until age 22.
With respect to students without a high school diploma who are older than 22, on a case-by-case basis, any Commonwealth charter school whose approved enrollment policy permits it to serve such students may report these students through SIMS by requesting an exception for earlier dates of birth for SIMS element DOE006 (Date of Birth). Commonwealth charter schools may receive tuition for such students.
Last Updated: April 28, 2020
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
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