Thank you for your interest in TMSA Public Charter Schools! TMSA is North Carolina's growing network of high-performing nonprofit public charter schools offering quality, tuition-free STEAM curriculum. We serve more than 4,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade on six campuses in Apex, Cary, Charlotte, and Greensboro.
Applying is simple, fast, and free. When you click the link below, you will be prompted to select the school of your choice.
Apply to TMSA
HOW TO APPLY
Families that are new to TMSA are required to submit an application due to the limited spots available in our schools. Please note that the application is for new students only and must be submitted every year until an assignment is made.
Current students at TMSA do not have to go through the application process again. Current families wishing to re-enroll are required to submit an “Intent to Return Form” by the deadline in order to hold their seat(s).
You can find our Enrollment Policy HERE.
LOTTERY PROCESS
We conduct a lottery in February to assign students in a fair and equitable way. Our lottery is publicly undertaken and may be attended by any member of the public.
TMSA Public Charter Schools utilize a preference status process that gives enrollment priority to qualified applicants. Preference status entitles an applicant to be offered an available seat ahead of applicants without a preference status. Enrollment priority will be given to the following populations in the order listed:
● Children of employees and Board Members will be given preference. By law, these students can amount to no more than 15% of the school(s) total enrollment.
● Sibling preference will be granted to the siblings of currently enrolled students who were admitted in a previous school year. By law, a sibling includes half-siblings, step-siblings, and children residing in a foster family home.
● A student who was enrolled in TMSA within the two previous school years but left the school (i) to participate in an academic study abroad program or a competitive admission residential program or (ii) because of the vocational opportunities of the student's parents.
● A student who was enrolled in another charter school in the State in the previous school year that does not offer the student's next grade level.
● A student who was enrolled in another TMSA school in the State in the previous school year.
● If a lottery is needed and a student from the waitlist is offered admission, their siblings are granted priority to the extent that space is available.
ENROLLMENT & REGISTRATION
Applicants who receive an assignment to one of our schools will need to complete the necessary registration forms within the given two-week period in order to enroll. If the applicant does not notify the school of their acceptance of admission by registering on time, the applicant will be deemed to have declined admission, and the next applicant on the waitlist will be offered admission.
The following items are needed in order to complete the enrollment process. If applicants do not have some of these documents available immediately, such as EOG test results or kindergarten physical exam, they can be submitted at a later time, but you MUST communicate with the enrollment office. (See contact information below)
Documentation for enrollment required by the school is submitted by the parent and generally includes the following:
● Government-issued photo ID for parent/guardian
● Copy of student(s) birth certificate
● Proof of N.C. residency through a utility bill, mortgage/lease document, etc.
● Immunization records
● Guardianship/custody papers, if applicable
● Most recent report card or transcript
● Standardized test scores, such as EOG
● Kindergarten Physical Exam Form from the child(s) physician (for kindergarten only)
● Documentation for homeschoolers, if applicable
● Any IEP, ESL, or 504 plans, if applicable.
IMPORTANT DATES
NOVEMBER 27, 2023: Application process opens for new students
JANUARY 15, 2024: Intent to return forms due for current students
Application window for new students opens (Nov 20th 2023 to Feb 4th 2024)
FEBRUARY 12, 2024: The enrollment lottery is held online and is open to the public on Feb 12th 2024 at 11:00 AM
FEBRUARY 14, 2024: Seat confirmation emails are sent out
FEBRUARY 28, 2024: Deadline to accept offered seat(s)- Feb
MARCH 14, 2024: Deadline for registration
INFORMATION NIGHTS & TOURS
We are looking forward to welcoming you and your student(s) to our information and tour nights. Visiting our schools is a great way to get a true sense of the culture, curriculum, and student life. Our passionate faculty and dedicated administration teams help you explore the school firsthand before you make your final decision. Please contact the schools directly for information night and tour dates.
CONTACT US
If you have any further questions about our admissions process, please connect with the school to which you are applying.
TMSA Apex (919) 335 0262 or send email to [email protected]
TMSA Charlotte (980)-299-6633 for K-5 and (980) 321-7744 for 6-12 or send an email to [email protected]
TMSA Triad (336) 763 2771 for K-5 or send an email to [email protected]
(336) 621 0061 for 6-12 or send an email to [email protected]
TMSA Triangle (919) 388-0077 or send email to [email protected]
FAQs
Is the lottery random?
We randomly select names or numbers through PowerSchool registration software. Once all available seats are filled, a waitlist will be established by listing the students in the order drawn.
I have twins. How does the application and lottery work for multiple births?
Multiple birth siblings will enter the lottery as one name or number, parents only need to submit one application. If that name or number is selected, then all of the multiple birth siblings shall be admitted. Late applications after the scheduled lottery will be placed on the bottom of the waitlist.
How do I know the process is fair?
We do not discriminate against students on the basis of sex, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, academic, artistic, athletic ability. We are an open enrollment school and admit any child who qualifies to attend a public school in North Carolina regardless of the school district in which the child resides. We employ a lottery system with prioritization categories. Our lottery is publicly undertaken and may be attended by any member of the public.