IMC Microschool Enrollment Policy

The Microschool Collaborative is committed to providing equitable access to high-quality, personalized learning experiences for students and families across Indiana. As a tuition-free public charter school network, enrollment is open to all students and complies with all applicable state and federal laws regarding admissions. No student will be denied admission based on intellectual ability, academic performance, disability, race, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other factor that may be considered unlawful.

Eligibility and Admissions Process

1. Open Enrollment Period

   • Each micro-school will establish an annual enrollment period aligned with community needs and local school calendars.
   • Families will complete an enrollment application and may participate in an informational session to understand the learning model and expectations.

2. Non-Discriminatory Admission

   • Enrollment will be open to all students, and no entrance exams, performance-based criteria, or selective admissions processes will be used.
   • Microschools will comply with all Child Find regulations to ensure students with disabilities receive appropriate services.

3. Capacity and Enrollment Limits at the Microschool Level

   • Each micro-school will determine its enrollment capacity based on staffing, facilities, instructional model, and community needs.
   • If the number of applications exceeds the number of spots available at a micro-school, a random lottery will be conducted to ensure fair and equal access.
   • Micro-schools may provide priority enrollment to certain applicants, as permitted by state law, including:
     • Students who have a household member who is already a student in the school
     • Students who have a parent who is a current employee of the school
     • Geographic priority is based on community needs or school design
   • Once a student is enrolled, they can continue attending the micro-school each year without reapplying or participating in the lottery again.

4. Waitlist and Future Enrollment

   • Students not selected in the lottery will be placed on a waitlist in the order in which their applications were received.
   • As seats become available, students will be notified and offered enrollment according to waitlist priority.

5. Rolling Admissions and Transfers

   • Microschools may offer rolling admissions throughout the year if capacity allows.
   • Transfer students from traditional schools receive individualized transition plans to align their learning pathway with the competency-based model.

6. Commitment to Family Partnership

   • Because micro-schools emphasize co-created learning experiences, families will be encouraged to participate actively in the educational process.
   • Microschools may request a family partnership agreement outlining the shared responsibility of educators, students, and families in fostering a thriving learning environment.

Equity and Accessibility Considerations

• Special Education and Support Services – The Microschool Collaborative will comply with all IDEA, Section 504, and ADA requirements and ensure that students with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations and services.
• English Language Learners – Language support services will be available to ensure equitable access for multilingual learners.
• Transportation Support – To enhance accessibility, micro-schools may provide transportation stipends or facilitate ride-sharing partnerships with families where feasible.

Flexibility Across Microschool Locations

Because micro-schools are community-driven, the enrollment process will allow for local flexibility while maintaining consistency in equity, transparency, and compliance with state regulations. Each micro-school will be able to set enrollment capacity based on staffing and space considerations while ensuring that all policies align with state requirements and best practices for student success.