Enrollment Guidelines
Lottery Process and Waiting Lists
The priority application deadline is March 1, 2021 at 4pm. Currently enrolled students do not need to submit an application but rather confirm their intent to stay enrolled in April. If Live Oak receives more applications by March 1 than available spaces in any grade level, a lottery (public random drawing) will be conducted to fill open spots and generate a rank ordered waiting list in each grade, including separate waiting lists for One and Two-Year Kindergarten students, for future available spaces. This year's lottery will occur on Thursday, March 4 at 4pm. The lottery will run live via Zoom (log in posted here by March 3) in the Lotterease system alongside a campus gathering pending health guidelines. Once lottery results are verified (no later than March 8) parents will be notified by the email listed in their Lotterease account.
The lottery process begins by separating all applications by grade level and the following enrollment preferences as set forth in the California Education Code 47605(d)(2)(B)(i)-(iv) and Live Oak's Application and Enrollment Policy:
The priority application deadline is March 1, 2021 at 4pm. Currently enrolled students do not need to submit an application but rather confirm their intent to stay enrolled in April. If Live Oak receives more applications by March 1 than available spaces in any grade level, a lottery (public random drawing) will be conducted to fill open spots and generate a rank ordered waiting list in each grade, including separate waiting lists for One and Two-Year Kindergarten students, for future available spaces. This year's lottery will occur on Thursday, March 4 at 4pm. The lottery will run live via Zoom (log in posted here by March 3) in the Lotterease system alongside a campus gathering pending health guidelines. Once lottery results are verified (no later than March 8) parents will be notified by the email listed in their Lotterease account.
The lottery process begins by separating all applications by grade level and the following enrollment preferences as set forth in the California Education Code 47605(d)(2)(B)(i)-(iv) and Live Oak's Application and Enrollment Policy:
- Siblings of students attending Live Oak Charter. Siblings include children living in the same household who share at least one parent or guardian.
- Applicants of Live Oak Charter School Staff employed at .5FTE or higher.
- Applicants who are currently enrolled at McKinley Elementary (proof of attendance required) or who reside in McKinley’s attendance area (two proofs of residency status required)
- Applicants residing in the Petaluma City School District (two proofs of residency status required).
- All other applicants who are California residents.
Residency Status
In order to qualify for either enrollment preference based on in-district residence, you must provide two proofs of residency status with your completed enrollment packet or forfeit your offer altogether. Acceptable proofs are listed below.
How to ensure validity of your application’s residency preference:
In order to qualify for either enrollment preference based on in-district residence, you must provide two proofs of residency status with your completed enrollment packet or forfeit your offer altogether. Acceptable proofs are listed below.
How to ensure validity of your application’s residency preference:
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To determine if you reside within the elementary school boundary for Petaluma City Elementary School District visit the Register of Voters. You must see "Petaluma City School District" listed in addition to "Petaluma Joint Union High School District” to confirm residency within Petaluma City Elementary School District.
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To determine if you reside within the McKinley Elementary attendance area, use the SchoolFinder tool to locate your address and grade(s) on application. You are confirmed within the attendance area if, and only if, you see the box “This is your neighborhood school” below McKinley School as pictured here. If you don’t see “This is your neighborhood school”, then you haven’t entered the grade and/or you are outside Petaluma City Elementary School District and do not qualify for this residency preference.
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Proof of in-district residency
For purposes of confirming eligibility for either in-district residency enrollment preference, parents must provide two proofs of residency status by the deadline indicated for your completed enrollment packet or forfeit the offer altogether. These proofs of residency confirm an applicant’s primary residence is in-district prior to the lottery AND at the submission date of a completed enrollment packet.
Valid proofs include:
Waiting lists are not carried forward. An application must be submitted each school year and run through the lottery process anew.
For purposes of confirming eligibility for either in-district residency enrollment preference, parents must provide two proofs of residency status by the deadline indicated for your completed enrollment packet or forfeit the offer altogether. These proofs of residency confirm an applicant’s primary residence is in-district prior to the lottery AND at the submission date of a completed enrollment packet.
Valid proofs include:
- current year property tax statement or current rental agreement with landlord contact information (tax or rental amounts, or other monies due, may be obscured),
- current pay stub or bank statement showing activity within previous 30 days (financial figures and other confidential information may be obscured),
- original copy of entire PG&E or other utility statement within last 30 days,
- major credit card statement (figures may be obscured) showing activity within previous 30 days.
Waiting lists are not carried forward. An application must be submitted each school year and run through the lottery process anew.
Enrollment Notification and Confirmation
Once an applicant is offered a spot, parents will receive notification via email and a text that lets them know they have received an important email. Parents are given a DEADLINE to either accept or decline the offer. If Live Oak does not hear back by this deadline then the applicant will be removed from the waiting list.
Once a parent accepts an offer, an enrollment packet will be provided with a stated DEADLINE. Enrollment is confirmed when a signed and completed enrollment packet is returned by the deadline, usually about two weeks after acceptance. The packet will include:
- Enrollment form
- Emergency Contact information form
- Kindergarten health assessment & immunization record (to be completed by your medical professional)
- Home language survey form
- Permission to use student work in media form
- Copy of child’s birth certificate
- Two proofs of residency if a residency preference group was selected in the application
Once a parent declines an offer, they forfeit their spot and can reapply later that school year or in subsequent school years.
Once a parent accepts an offer, an enrollment packet will be provided with a stated DEADLINE. Enrollment is confirmed when a signed and completed enrollment packet is returned by the deadline, usually about two weeks after acceptance. The packet will include:
- Enrollment form
- Emergency Contact information form
- Kindergarten health assessment & immunization record (to be completed by your medical professional)
- Home language survey form
- Permission to use student work in media form
- Copy of child’s birth certificate
- Two proofs of residency if a residency preference group was selected in the application
Once a parent declines an offer, they forfeit their spot and can reapply later that school year or in subsequent school years.
Multiples Policy
Families applying for enrollment of multiples for the same grade must complete separate applications for each child. Each application will be entered in the lottery process as individual students but with the indication that the student has a multiple also applying for the same grade.
Families applying for enrollment of multiples for the same grade must complete separate applications for each child. Each application will be entered in the lottery process as individual students but with the indication that the student has a multiple also applying for the same grade.
- During the lottery process, if one of the multiples is chosen, the other multiples will be placed on the lottery list immediately after the first multiples’ name.
- If a class spot is offered to one multiple and not the other(s), the same time frame for accepting the spot and participating in the enrollment process is required in order to reserve that spot.
Grade Birthdates
School Year 2021-22 Grade Assignment by Age
As a school guided by the Core Principles of Public Waldorf Education, Live Oak's curriculum follows a developmental model that is directly linked to the age of the student.
Kindergarten (2-year) 5 by December 2, 2021 (5th bday after June 1 and by Dec 2)
Kindergarten (1-year) 5 by June 1, 2021
School Year 2021-22 Grade Assignment by Age
As a school guided by the Core Principles of Public Waldorf Education, Live Oak's curriculum follows a developmental model that is directly linked to the age of the student.
Kindergarten (2-year) 5 by December 2, 2021 (5th bday after June 1 and by Dec 2)
Kindergarten (1-year) 5 by June 1, 2021
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Grade Birthdate
1st Grade 6 by June 1 2nd Grade 7 by June 1 3rd Grade 8 by June 1 4th Grade 9 by June 1 5th Grade 10 by June 1 6th Grade 11 by June 1 7th Grade 12 by June 1 8th Grade 13 by June 1 |
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Students will be enrolled or considered for the lottery in each class according to the above chart. Parental concerns about potential grade placement need to be addressed prior to submitting an application. Send your concerns in writing to the Enrollment Coordinator at enrollment@liveoakcharter.org for approval by the Executive Director.
Vaccination Requirements for Enrollment
California state law requires that children receive a course of immunizations to attend school or day care in California. Immunization records must be submitted for all students during registration. If immunization records are not current, updated, and submitted to the school site by the first day of school, students will not be allowed to attend school. Personal Belief Exemptions are no longer accepted per SB277.
Questions
If you have questions during the application and admission process, please do not hesitate to contact
Shelly Dieterle, Enrollment Coordinator, at (707) 762-9020 or enrollment@liveoakcharter.org.
Non Discrimination Admission Policy
As a public charter school committed to diversity and community health, Live Oak does not discriminate in its
admission of students on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, or economic status.
Charter School Complaint Notice & Form