Question: What is the length of time families have for acceptance? 

Answer: The response window is fourteen (14) business days for families to accept from the postmark date/email date.

Question: When will acceptance letters be sent?

Answer: Letters sent on March 12, 2026 and families will be required to confirm acceptance/reply back by March 31, 2026.

Question: When can I enroll my child for Kindergarten?

Answer: Upcoming Kindergarten students may be enrolled during this enrollment window. Additionally, we will hold a special round of enrollment in April during a time we call "Kindergarten Round-Up". Please be on the lookout for more information about the April enrollment window if you choose to use that time.

Question: Do sibling priorities for enrollment acceptance apply to siblings not living in the same house?

Answer: No, the Siblings priority mentioned in our Enrollment Policy is for siblings/children in the same household.  

Question: What is considered In-Zone for purposes of Enrollment Priority?

Answer: In zone is Greater Lake Wales (Zip Codes are 33853, 33859, 33898, 33827, 33877, 33854, 33867)

Question: If I need bus transportation for my child, is it guaranteed if they have been accepted during the Open Enrollment process?

Answer: No, acceptance to one of our schools DOES NOT guarantee transportation. However, we do offer bus transportation to students in our service areas which will be announced later this Spring. Please look out for more information on our Social Media and this website.

Question: Since your Elementary Schools are conversions from previous Polk County Public Schools operated schools, do you serve the areas/zones they used to serve?

Answer: Yes, we continue to serve students whose families reside in the areas and zones near these school sites. The above Enrollment Policy outlines what areas are considered In-Zone priorities.

Question: In what order are students accepted?

Answer: Students who apply during Open Enrollment are separated into the categories outlined in the Lake Wales Charter School Enrollment Policy (In Zone on-time applications, Priority applications (according to statute), Out of Zone on-time applications, In Zone late applications, Priority late applications, and Out of Zone late applications). Then, a random lottery of students be pulled from the first priority (In Zone On-time Applications). If space remains after this category, the next category (Out of Zone On-Time Applications) will be go through the same random lottery step. This cycle will continue until all available open seats at each school are filled.

Question: If my student has previously qualified for MVP transportation, will they receive it again in 2026-2027?

Answer: We kindly ask that each student to requalify each school year.

Question: Do I need to reapply if my student is already attending a Lake Wales Charter School?

Answer: You do not need to reapply if your student is returning to the SAME school. However, if you are seeking to transfer to a new school or if you are changing levels (Elementary to Middle, Middle to High School), you will need to apply during Open Enrollment.

Question: Does the time of my application within the Open Enrollment window affect if my student will be accepted?

Answer: No, all applications received during the Open Enrollment window (Jan.5-Feb.6) will be considered on-time. For more information about the priority of acceptance, please see the Lake Wales Charter School Enrollment Policy.