Apply for 2024-25
Question? Contact:
Mrs. Janisa Vaughn, Director of Operations and Student Enrollment via email.
Habla español? Ms. Vicky Rosario, Coordinator of Student Recruitment & Enrollment via email.
Applying for School Year 2024-25
According to the NY Post in July of 2022, “Enrollment at Department of Education schools plummeted 8.3% over the COVID-19 pandemic school years of 2020-21 and 2021-22, the report, released Wednesday by the city’s Independent Budget Office found. Charters, meanwhile, saw their student population grow by 6.9%, the IOB said.”
Charter schools are in demand, and we want you to join us at Challenge Charter! Simply complete the online application here. Or download here, complete, scan and email to: enrollment@challengecharterschools.org.
The application is also available in multiple languages online at this link. Applicants do not have to take tests to get in (assessments will be done once accepted) and you can apply to more than one school at a time. The deadline to apply for the 2024-25 lottery is April 1, 2024, however, we accept applications year round.
Scholars are Chosen Via Random Lottery
Students are selected through a random virtual lottery. Our next lottery will be held Thursday, April 4, 2024 beginning at 6:00 PM. Families will be contacted the night of the lottery confirming their seat or waitlist number.
NOTE: We will contact you only 3 times for acceptance. After that, the seat is forfeited and will go to the next family on the waitlist. Upon parents accepting seats they will then be prompted to complete registration. Parents will have no more than 5 business days to complete registration.
Learn more about
Challenge Charter School
Our in-person Open Houses are held on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30P. These sessions give you the best grade level information as you apply for your child. See the schedule below. Registration is required. Register here.
Don’t see a date that works for you? Attend a K-12 Virtual Session via Zoom.
Friday, February 9 | 1:00-1:40P - Register here.
Friday, March 22 | 1:00-1:40P - Register here.
SCHOLAR ADMISSION FAQS
Do current scholars of CCS need to reapply?
No, it is not necessary for current scholars to apply. However, Letters of Intent are sent out from Counselors and parents must reserve their child’s seat prior to the lottery for Rising 6th and Rising 9th graders.
What grades will CCS be offering in 2023-24 school year?
Kindergarten through 12th Grade.
Can I fill out one application for all of my children?
No. Every child needs a separate application.
What age do you have to be to start K?
A child must be five (5) years old by December 31, 2023 to begin Kindergarten.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is TBD at 5:00PM via postmark OR online application.
How do you determine admission?
Admission is by a fair and random lottery. By NYS law, Challenge must give preference to the scholars living in the community school district #27. We also have a sibling policy where we give preference to siblings of current scholars, former scholars, and to ELLs (English Language Learners).
Is there an application fee?
No.
Does it cost anything to attend Challenge Charter School?
No. Our schools are public schools, so there is no required tuition--it is free.
Does CCS offer Special Education Services?
Yes.
If my child is an English Language Learner, are they allowed to apply?
Yes. And we give preference to ELLs (English Language Learners).
I was on the wait list last year, do I go before everyone who applies this year?
No. Applications do not carry over from year to year. If you applied last year and did not get in, you must apply again this year and your application will go in the lottery.
I have a child attending CCS. Do I need to fill out an application for a younger sibling?
Yes. We require an application for every student.
When will we find out the results?
The date for the 2023-24 Challenge Charter School lottery is April 4, 2023. If you submitted an application, you will get an invitation to the lottery by this date. Please check your email and voicemail regularly for updates on waiting list information.
What happens if I didn't send in my application on time?
Late applications are placed on the waiting list in the order received. This waiting list is used AFTER the lottery waiting list has been exhausted.
Non-discrimination Policy
It is the policy of the Challenge Preparatory Charter School to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, unemployment status, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law) predisposing genetic characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation.
It is the policy of the Challenge Preparatory Charter School to provide equal educational opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex) or weight and to maintain an environment free of harassment on the basis of any of these grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation.
This policy is in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Section 503 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1974, Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Civil Rights Act of 1991, New York State and City Human Rights Laws.