Admission Policy

The Academies will not charge tuition and will not discriminate in its pupil admissions policy or practices on the basis of intellectual or athletic ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, status as a handicapped person, or any other basis that would be illegal if used by a school district.

Enrollment will be open to all students who are residents of this state, within the age range of four (students must be four years of age by September 1, 2020) to twelve years old and whose parents desire a program of instruction for their children based on core academic skills acquisition, exposure to high-tech learning activities and the utilization of structured learning activities which simulate real-life business environments.

Enrollment priority may be given to a sibling of a pupil already enrolled in the Academies.  If there are more applications to enroll in the Academies than there are spaces available, pupils shall be selected to attend using a random selection process.  Also, the Academies shall allow any pupil who was enrolled in the immediately preceding school year to enroll in the Academies in the appropriate grade unless the appropriate grade is not being offered at the Academies.

David Ellis Academy and David Ellis Academy West are public charter school academies.

Application Process

All new parents who are interested in enrolling one or more children in the Academies for grades K–8 should go to the school website to complete an application.  The application forms must be filled out completely and submitted to the school during the application period announced each year.  Students not chosen for a given year will be placed on a waiting list for the next available opening with the written permission of a parent or legal guardian.  All parents shall receive written notification following the initial lottery (if one is necessary) of their child’s acceptance or addition to the waiting list.  All parents of students making the waiting list may apply, in writing, for an automatic continuance of their waiting list status.  Parents who want their child to remain on the waiting list must submit the automatic continuance no later than thirty (30) days from receipt of notification to confirm and maintain their position on the waiting list.

New openings, within any grade level and regardless of when they occur, shall always be first offered to eligible students on the waiting list for that grade level.  Students and parents may request in writing, at any time, that the student’s name be withdrawn from the waiting list.  Parents of students on the waiting list who do not renew their intention for their child to remain on the waiting list shall be removed from the list.  All students are eligible to reapply during the normal enrollment period for any subsequent year, even if they have requested removal from the waiting list in the previous year. Parents may also submit application forms throughout the year to place their child(ren) on the waiting list for any grade offered.

Current parents must also renew their intentions to keep their child(ren) enrolled in the school no later than the end of the re-enrollment period prior to the next school year.  Available openings for existing students will not be held past that time.

There are two enrollment periods at the Academies.  There is an open enrollment period for students interested in attending the Academies for the first time.   The re-enrollment time is for students returning to the Academies for another year.

The enrollment process for the PreK GSRP program requires an application that meets specific criteria required by the State of Michigan and an in-person interview.  The specific requirements are found in the GSRP Student Handbook and on the school website.

Open Enrollment (New Students)

• After accommodating all re-enrolling students, siblings have second priority.

• New students have the next priority. During the open enrollment period, parents of new students should submit their child’s applications.

• If there are more new students than there are spaces available for them (after siblings and returning students) a random selection drawing will be scheduled.

• Parents of students who apply after the lottery drawing will be added to the list in the order they enroll.

• Whenever spaces become available during the academic year, families on the waiting list will be contacted. If interested, the child will be registered immediately, only if the student has a complete application on file, or the next person on the list will be contacted until all spaces are filled. It is very important to update your contact information so the opportunity is not missed.

• Registration and waiting lists will NOT carry over to the following academic year.  Interested families must fill out a New Student Enrollment Application for each academic year.

• Students who have been expelled from other schools will not be admitted to the Academies.

• Only parents or legal guardians may enroll a student.

Enrollment Agreement

I desire to have my child attend David Ellis Academies (DEA) or David Ellis Academies West (DEAW) and I understand that my child’s enrollment depends on my willingness to help my child(ren) maintain acceptable standards of scholastic achievement and behavior. In order to be a successful member of a DEA or DEA West student body, I agree to do/help my child(ren) as follows:

• Attend all assigned classes every day and on time.

• Contact the instructor(s) to report his/her extended absence from school (if applicable).

• Ensure that all homework assignments are completed and submitted on time.

•  Get permission from the office whenever I have to pick up my child from the school prior to dismissal time. 

• I understand that EXCESSIVE EARLY PICKUPS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

• Display appropriate behavior and follow ALL of the rules and policies of David Ellis Academies and the classroom teachers.

• Limit the time spent watching television and on electronic devices during the school week.

• Be supportive of a safe, positive, and structured learning environment.

• Apply him/herself whole-heartedly to all academic endeavors.

• Respect the rights of others at all times.  

• BULLYING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND WILL BE DEALT WITH ACCORDING TO THE ESTABLISHED STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT.

• Refrain from bringing prohibited items to the school such as cell phones, drugs or drug paraphernalia, gang-related items, weapons, or any other banned items.

• Return all school materials such as computers, books, equipment, and supplies.

As the parent/guardian of a DEA or DEAW student, I understand what is expected of me as a parent in order for my child to attend DEA or DEAW.  Additionally, I have read and reviewed these standards. I accept responsibility for my choices and actions and those of my child. I accept and support all of these terms and conditions for enrollment. I also agree that should any of these conditions be violated my child may have his/her enrollment terminated.

Re-enrollment (Returning Students)

Interested students must re-enroll for the following school year by submitting an application form in person or online by the deadline established by the Academies and the School Board.