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It’s Open Enrollment Time for Maryland’s Public Charter Schools
Charter schools give families an opportunity to choose the school experience that best fits their needs and—like every other public school—they are tuition-free for any student to attend that resides in a district that has approved public charter schools.
When charter schools have more students who want to attend than they have seats available, they use a lottery system to determine their enrollment.
Application & Lottery Information by District
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
Lottery Window for the 2025-2026 School Year
The lottery window for the 2025-2026 school year will open at noon on October 7, 2024 and close at noon on November 7, 2024 at noon. If you have any questions regarding charter/contract school enrollment, please reach out directly to the school in which you wish to apply.
Lottery Portal Link- Click on the provided link to submit your application to be included into a charter or contract school's lottery. https://magnet.aacps.org/webapps/aacps_magnet/LogIn.aspx
More information about the lottery can be found on the Anne Arundel County Public Schools website
BALTIMORE CITY
Baltimore City Public Schools has not posted their schedule for the 2025 - 2026 lottery schedule. Below was last year’s schedule.
February 2, 2024 Deadline for accepting applications from families
February 12-16, 2024 Charter lottery window
April 8, 2024 Deadline for families to confirm or decline acceptance
Most applications are submitted directly to the public charter school, however there are a few high school programs that are selected through Baltimore City’s High School Choice Program. More information on Baltimore City Public Schools Website
BALTIMORE COUNTY
Applications are submitted directly to the public charter school. Past lotteries were held in January.
CHARLES COUNTY
The new public charter school in Charles county school is accepting enrollments. Check with the school for the lottery date.
FREDERICK COUNTY
Applications are submitted to the charter schools. Check with individual charter schools in Frederick County, past lotteries were held in March. Frederick County Public Schools Website
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
Applications are submitted through the district, and the window for enrollment is November 1, 2024 through February 7, 2025 .
The last day to submit lottery application for all charter schools is February 7, 2025 for school year 2025-2026. The link to access the lottery application is here, more information about the district enrollment process can be found here. If you have school specific questions, please reach out to that school directly.
St. MARY’S COUNTY
Applications are submitted directly to the public charter school. If you have specific questions, please reach out to the school directly. St. Mary’s County Public Schools Website
The Lottery System
Charter school lotteries are usually held at the beginning of the calendar year. Please check with individual schools to confirm their lottery date. If you missed the lottery date, you can contact the charter school directly to see if you can be added to their waiting list.