UNITED
Community School
Admissions Process
What is the Lotterease Seal of Transparency and Fairness?
When you see the Seal on a school website, you can be confident that your application will be included in the school lottery in a fair and transparent way. Lotterease is an independent automated lottery system that the school uses to manage their lottery and waitlist. Since Lotterease is an independent system, the school staff do not have the ability to manipulate or adjust the lottery outcome. They must work within the requirements of the system.
In addition, all activity that takes place with your application is tracked in a history log that you can view at any time by logging into the parent portal.
If the school you want your child to attend displays the Lotterease Seal of Transparency and Fairness, you can rest assured that you child will get their fair chance to attend the school.
Admissions FAQ
How can I apply if I do not have a computer or internet access?
Contact the school directly at 980-819-0555 and an administrator will be glad to help you apply.
If my child currently attends UCS, do I need to apply again?
No, your child automatically has a space in the appropriate grade.
If I have one child who currently attends UCS and I would like my other child to attend, what should I do?
You need to fill out an open enrollment application for the other child before Wednesday January 31st at 10:00 am, selecting the “sibling preference” option. Your child will then be eligible for the lottery.
When is the last day to apply?
To be considered for the Lottery, applications must be received by Jan 31st, 10AM. Although, applying is an ongoing process throughout the rest of the school year until October1st.
When is your lottery?
The 2024-25 lottery will be held on January 31st 2024 at 12:00 p.m. online.
Do I need to be present at the lottery to receive a space?
No. You will be emailed immediately after the lottery has been run with either confirmation that you received a space or your number on the waitlist. You must confirm your space within seven calendar days of the lottery, otherwise your child will be moved to the bottom of the waitlist.
What happens if my child is drawn in the lottery?
Once a student number is drawn, the family will need to confirm intent to enroll within seven calendar days (includes holidays). After confirming intent to enroll at United Community School, each applicant must complete and submit the enrollment packet. The packet will contain several forms that must be completed in order to officially enroll at United Community School. These forms must be submitted within seven calendar days. If the enrollment documents are not received within seven calendar days, the enrollment may be denied. If the enrollment is denied, the student's name will drop to the bottom of the waitlist. Families who apply after the open enrollment period ends, will be added to the bottom of the waitlist.
If my child is on the waitlist, do I need to contact you to find out where he/she stands on the list?
No, you will be automatically notified of any change in position on the waiting list. However, you are always welcome to call the school with general questions.
My child is on the waitlist, but has moved down a spot. How is this possible?
Undoubtedly this is frustrating. We try to keep families together, so when one sibling is accepted and has another sibling waitlisted in another grade, that waitlisted sibling gets an enrollment preference, meaning they move to the top of the waitlist. This means that occasionally parents will see their children move down the list instead of up.
How old does my child need to be to register for Kindergarten?
Each child must be five years old on or before August 31, 2024, to enroll in Kindergarten.
Do I have to attend an Open House?
No, but we strongly encourage it. Research indicates that parent engagement has a positive impact on students’ academic achievement, behavior in school, and attitudes about school and work. Attending an Open House is the best way to begin the vital partnership between the home and school.
I have multiple birth siblings (twins, triplets, etc.). How does that work?
If multiple birth siblings apply for admission to a charter school and a lottery is needed under G.S. 115C-238.29F(g)(6), the charter school shall enter one surname into the lottery to represent all of the multiple birth siblings. If that surname of the multiple birth siblings is selected, then all of the multiple birth siblings shall be admitted.
Do I have to be a resident of North Carolina in order to participate in the lottery?
Yes. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Division of Charter Schools, mandates that applications from out-of-state residents are not eligible for admission unless proof of North Carolina residency can be provided before the Open Enrollment ends. If you are moving to the area and wish to participate in our lottery, online registration is not available to you. A paper copy of the Student Application form along with proof of residency must be submitted before the open enrollment period ends.
I am currently on the waitlist. Does the waitlist expire once the new lottery is run or does it carryover?
Waitlists do not carry over. We will generate a new waitlist for every school year.