Apply to Attend an APS Charter School

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Information

What is Apply APS Charter?

Apply APS Charter is an online platform through which families can apply in one place for most Atlanta Public Schools charter schools and track the status of their application, offers, and wait list standing.  Apply APS Charter is a collaboration between the APS Office of Charter + Partner Schools and participating charter schools.

What is a charter school?

A charter school is a public school that operates under contract with a local authorizer such as Atlanta Public Schools. Charter schools are governed by their own independent, non-profit boards with oversight from the authorizer and the Georgia Department of Education. Charter schools have district-wide enrollment zones and are allowed flexibility in their programming in exchange for specific performance goals.

How do I know which school is best for my student?

To learn more a particular school, we encourage you to use the APS School Finder tool, visit the school, and talk with family and friends who may have experience with the school.

Does my student need to apply?

An Apply APS Charter application only needs to be completed if your student is interested in attending a participating charter school she/he does not currently attend.

Are all APS-approved charter schools participating in Apply APS Charter?

No. Charter schools voluntarily choose to participate in the Apply APS Charter platform, and while many are participating, not every APS-approved charter school is participating.  See the list of participating schools, and if you are interested in applying to a school that is not currently participating in Apply APS Charter, you should visit that school’s website for more details about the school’s application process.

I don’t live in Atlanta, can I still apply to charter schools in APS?

If you do not live in Atlanta, you may apply on Apply APS Charter, however, you will need to ensure your student resides within the Atlanta Public School boundaries at the time of registration in order to enroll your student.  Additionally, some charter schools have priority attendance zones which you can find on the APS School Finder tool.

Does using Apply APS Charter make it more likely that I will get into the charter school of my choice?

No. If a charter school receives more applications than the number of seats available in a certain grade, by law it must hold a random lottery to determine who receives offers for the available seats and who will be placed on a waiting list for the next school year.

How to Apply

How do I apply?

Click the “Apply” button on this website and you will be taken to the Apply APS Charter application.  You will first need to create an account before proceeding through the application.  Completing the application takes just a few minutes.

Can I use Apply APS Charter in a language other than English?

Yes.  Apply APS Charter is available in English, Spanish, French, Chinese (simplified), and Arabic. Additional language assistance is available by calling (404) 802-2810.

Do I have to apply online?

No.  If you do not have an email address or internet access or need additional language support, you can apply over the phone by calling (404) 802-2810.

When is the deadline to apply for a charter school?

You can apply to charter schools for the current 2022-23 school year through December 31, 2022, and your application will be automatically placed on the school’s waitlist. Starting January 3, 2023, through February 28, 2023, you can apply for the following 2023-2024 school year to be included in the school’s lottery. 

Can I edit my application or add schools?

Yes. You can edit your application at any point before the application deadline.

Can I apply after the lottery application deadline?

Yes, however, applications submitted after the deadline will be automatically placed on the school’s waitlist. 

How many schools can I apply to?

You may apply to as many participating charter schools as you’d like.  We encourage you to learn more about each school before applying to ensure the school is a good fit for your student.

After Applying

When will I find out my results for the coming school year?

Application results will be available on March 7, 2023 by logging into your Apply APS Charter account in SchoolMint.

What do I do if I have been offered a seat at a charter school?

If you have been offered a seat at a charter school, you will need to let the school know by the specified deadline whether you intend to enroll at the school.  You accept the seat through your Apply APS Charter account in SchoolMint. 

What do I do if I have been offered a seat at more than one charter school?

If you have been offered a seat at multiple charter schools to which you applied, you may accept only one of the seats.  Once you accept a seat at one charter school, any offers you received to any other charter schools will be automatically declined. If you are on the waitlist for any charter schools, you will still maintain your place on the waitlist even if you accept an offer at another charter school.

What happens after I accept a seat I have been offered?

Once you accept a seat you have been offered, the charter school will contact you about next steps to register your student at the school.

My child has been waitlisted. What does that mean?

This means that the charter school to which you have applied has no seats available at this time. If a space becomes available, schools use their waitlists to determine who should next be offered a seat. In this case, the school will notify you directly.

Other Questions

What is my zoned district school?

You can find out which school is your zoned APS neighborhood school by visiting the APS School Zone Locator.

Is transportation provided for students attending a charter school?

Please visit a school's profile on the APS School Finder to learn about a school's transportation options.

What do you do with the information I provide you?

Apply APS Charter only distributes your information to the participating schools to which you choose to apply. Apply APS Charter complies with FERPA and other federal, state, and local data privacy laws and policies. 

Is Apply APS Charter audited?

Yes.  An external audit of Apply APS Charter is conducted annually to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.  You can find an archive of external audits of the program here.