MCA accepts applications for new admissions for the current, active school year at any time. Provided space is available, the child is admitted. The process of admissions involves completing the MCA admissions application form, a personal introduction to the Academy, and an admissions assessment, accompanied by a review of that assessment with the parents. If a space is available, it is offered to the student, and parents complete an enrollment information form. If space is not available, the student’s name is placed on a waiting list, and the family is contacted as soon as a space is vacant.
Step 1 Admission Form
Step 2 Admission Form (complete once a seat is offered)
Admission forms may be filled out digitally and emailed to [email protected]. You may also contact the school office for a copy of the forms.
Enrollment Period
MCA has open enrollment throughout the year, except March 1 through the end of the school year, for any student whose primary residence is in North Carolina.
Preferential Enrollment
MCA gives enrollment preference to siblings of students enrolled the previous year, employee’s children, and siblings of students that completed the highest grade offered by MCA and were enrolled at least four years (legacy preference). MCA defines siblings as biological siblings, step-siblings, half-siblings, and children residing in a family foster home.
Admissions Application, Kindergarten
To enroll in kindergarten a child must be five years of age on or before August 31 of that school year. The Academy receives applications for the rising kindergarten on or after August 1, one school year in advance of desired enrollment. If the applications do not exceed Academy or grade level capacity by February 20, then all students who have submitted applications by that deadline will be accepted for admission and no lottery will be held. If the total number of applications received exceeds the established capacity of the Academy or grade level for the upcoming year by 3:30pm on February 20 (the lottery eligibility deadline), then a fair, impartial, public lottery will be held the following day, February 21 (or the first business day thereafter). If multiple birth siblings are applying for admission, MCA will enter one surname into the lottery to represent all of the multiple birth siblings. If that surname is drawn, then all multiple birth siblings are admitted. If a lottery is held, those students not accepted by the lottery will be placed on a priority waiting list in the order drawn. Siblings of currently enrolled students receive admission priority and typically do not participate in the lottery, but must submit an application prior to the lottery deadline. After February 20, additional students will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the capacity is realized.
Admissions Application, Grade 1 and Higher
MCA accepts applications throughout the year for first grade and all older grades. In accordance with state regulations, MCA gives preference to siblings “of currently enrolled students who were admitted in a previous year.” For MCA, “siblings” includes any of the following who reside in the same household: biological siblings, half siblings, step-siblings, and foster children. Should a waiting list be necessary, applicants are placed in order of application date.
Notification, All grade Levels
Once a seat is available the Academy notifies the student’s parents, at which point the parents have five business days to inform the school whether or not they would like to enroll. If they choose to enroll, a date for a transition assessment is set. If they decide not to continue or fail to respond, the name is removed, and the student must re-apply for future consideration.
Enrollment
After parents decide to enroll their child, they complete the Enrollment Information form, which provides both the school and the family with important information. During this time the Academy communicates to the parents its expectations and its commitments.
Assessments
Students accepted by lottery will be given a date and time for a school readiness assessment, usually in April. Students in first grade and higher are given a date and time for a placement assessment. These assessments help inform parents and the school of the student’s projected academic transition and potential needs.
Placement
After the discussing the results of the transition assessment, the Academy places the student in the appropriate grade level.