Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How are children enrolled in CAP Charter School?
A: Children who already attend the school will automatically move to the next grade if they meet the academic requirements. For new students wishing to enroll in our school, under the Charter School Law students must reside in the school district where the school resides, in our case Philadelphia School District. After open enrollment closes available slots are determined. If there are more students wishing to enroll, then available spots, a lottery is drawn to help determine which students will be enrolled. The applicants who are not chosen in the beginning of the school year will be placed on a waiting list in the order that they were chosen from the lottery.
Q: How can i obtain an application for my child to attend?
A: Applications are available at our school lobby 8 am to 5:30 pm and on our website by clicking here, beginning December 15 and ending March 31 each year.
Q: What documents do i need to attach when submitting the Intent to Enroll Application?
A: In order for your application to be processed in the lottery, the parents/guardians must submit the following documents:
- Completed Intent to Enroll Application
- Copy of birth certificate
- Copy of social security card
- Proof of residency (driver’s license, mortgage bill, utility bill.)-Please note we do not accept telephone or cell phone bill as proof of residency.
Q: When do parents/guardian find out if their child has been accepted for enrollment at CAP?
A: Along with the “Intent to Enroll” parents/guardians receive a list of our lottery dates. The lot-tery is public and held at the school. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend, but please bring your lottery numbers assigned to your child. If a parent/guardian is present at one of the lotteries they will know if their child was placed on the waiting list. We will also notify par-ents/guardians of their child’s placement on the waiting list within 2 weeks after the lottery has been drawn via the US mail.
Q: If my child is chosen what do I need to do next?
A: Once your child is chosen from the lottery, The Office of Admission and Students Records department will schedule an appointment for parents/guardians and student to come into our school and complete the admission packet. The following documents must be submitted at this time:
- Original birth certificate
- Original social security card
- Current Proof of residency (driver’s license, mortgage bill, utility bill.) Please note: we do not accept telephone or cell phone bills as proof of residency.
- Report Cards and/or Transcripts from previous school
- Immunization records
- Last physical within the current year
- Last dental within the current year
- Medical Insurance Card
- Any legal and/or custody paperwork if applicable
Q: Is the application process the same for siblings of current CAP students?
A: CAP will strive to keep all families together per the Charter School Law, but cannot guaran-tee it. As soon as a slot opens for the waiting sibling of a current CAP student, the sibling may be given preference over any child on the waiting list. (Please review the definition of a sibling on our website)
Q: How long is the waiting list valid?
A: The waiting list is valid until the end the school year only. A parent/guardian will have to submit another application for the child for the following school year if we do not come to your child’s name on the waiting list.
Q: What happens if a slot becomes available during the school year?
A: The Office of Admissions and Student Records will mail out a letter and/or call all par-ents/guardians who have students on the waiting list, asking them to respond if they are still in-terested. If we do not get a response from the parent/guardian, or if the parent/guardian is not in-terested, the student will lose their spot on the waiting list and we will go to the next name on the list.
Q: What is the grade structure and current enrollment of the school?
A: Community Academy of Philadelphia CS currently serves 1200+ students in grades K through 12. We currently have two classes per grade for grades K through 5, 3 classes for grades 6 through 8, and 5 classes for grades 9-12.
Q: Are there school uniforms?
A: Community Academy of Philadelphia CS students are required to wear uniforms. Please see the student handbook for a full explanation of our dress code. The handbook can be viewed by clicking here.
Q: Is transportation provided to the students?
A: Transportation services are not provided for Kindergarten students. Community Academy Students in grades 1 through 7 receive transportation to and from school through the School District of Philadelphia. Grades 8-12 students who live 2 miles away or more from the school will receive a Septa school transpass through the School District of Philadelphia.
Q: Does Community Academy of Philadelphia CS provide breakfast and/or lunch for students?
A: Yes, we provide breakfast between the hours of 7:30am through 8:15am and lunch for grades K through 4 are between the hours of 11:00am through 11:30am, grades 5 through 8 between the hours of 11:31am through 12:01am and grade 9 through 12 between the hours of 10:30am through 12:15pm. All parents/guardians must complete an application for free and reduced breakfast and lunch program. If parents/guardians do not qualify for free and reduced breakfast and lunch, the student can purchase food at the above time. Applications are available at the time of enrollment or by clicking here.
Q: What is the length of the school day?
A: Our school day begins promptly at 8:00am and ends at 3:00pm. On Wednesday’s our school day begins promptly at 8:00am and ends at 12:26pm.
Q: Does CAP have a before school and/or after school program?
A: Our school does not provide before school care. Students are allowed to enter the school starting at 7:30am. We do offer an after school program for a fee. Applications for this program are available at the time of enrollment or by clicking here.
Q: Does CAP provide any Support Services for its students and parents/guardians?
A: Our school provides the following Support Services:
- Special Education
- Emotional Support
- English as a Second Language
- Reading Services
- Daycare Services
- Health Services
- Food Services
- After School Services
For further detailed information please refer to the support service tab on our website by clicking here.
Q: Does CAP provide any Extracurricular Activities for High School students?
A: A list of all High School Extracurricular Activities can be found by clicking here.
Q: Does CAP provide any Extracurricular Activities for Middle School students?
A: A list of all Middle School Extracurricular Activities can be found by clicking here.
Q: What is a Charter School?
A: Charter schools are public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the regula-tions that apply to traditional public schools. The "charter" establishing each such school is a per-formance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. Charter schools are mandated to be innovative in their approach to teaching and learning while also accountable to the local, state and federal govern-ments. Community Academy is held accountable to the District and the State to ensure that qualified teachers are teaching students a standards-based curriculum. Charter schools are self-managed public schools, but we must function within the guidelines of the Charter School Law established by the State of Pennsylvania.
Q: What are the benefits of a Charter School?
A: The intention of most charter school legislation is to:
- Increase opportunities for learning and access to quality education for all students
- Create choice for parents/guardian and students within the public school system
- Provide a system of accountability for results in public education
- Encourage innovative teaching practices
- Create new professional opportunities for teachers
- Encourage community and parent involvement in public education
