Enrollment Preference

Arizona law defines specific categories of students that are, or may, be eligible for enrollment preference. Charter schools are required to grant enrollment preference to returning students and to the siblings of students currently enrolled at the school.[1]

Charter schools have local control to determine if they wish to allow enrollment preferences to the following students: [2]

• Children in foster care, or those designated as unaccompanied youth, per the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 11434a);

• Students or siblings who attended another charter school under the same charter holder, board and governing board membership, or those under a school managed by the same educational management organization, charter management organization or educational service provider;

• Children, grandchildren, or legal wards of the following:

o employees of the school or charter holder,

o members of the governing body of the school, or

o directors, officers, partners, or board members of the charter holder.

[1] A.R.S. § 15-184(B).

[2] A.R.S. §§ 15-184(C) and (D).