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Enrollment FAQ

Which grades can students apply to enter?

Community Charter School of Cambridge is a combined middle/high school, serving students in grades 6 through 12.  CCSC accepts new students in grades 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

What is the application process?

Application deadlines and lottery dates are posted on the Apply Now tab of our website. Applying online is easiest. Online applications can be found here. Once you complete the online application, you will be redirected to a 'Thank You' confirmation page. You should also receive an email confirmation from our enrollment manager, Heshi Schreiber. 

Families that wish to complete paper applications can do so by picking up a copy at our front desk, completing it, and then returning it to the school by mail or fax (617-354-3624).

All applications must be accompanied by acceptable proof of residency as listed on the lottery application.

The lottery will be run the week after the application deadline. You will be notified via email and phone of the results of the lottery. If you have any questions, you can always contact our enrollment team at enrollment@ccscambridge.org or by phone at 781-801-8978.

How does the lottery process work?

CCSC enrollment lotteries are open to all Massachusetts residents entering grades 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10.  Applications are drawn at random.

In accordance with CCSC’s charter and Massachusetts Charter School Law, applicants are admitted in the following order of preference:

  1. Massachusetts residents with siblings currently attending CCSC. Eligible siblings are children who share a common biological or legal parent with a student enrolled at CCSC, and who reside in the state of Massachusetts as of the application deadline.  Children who live in the same household but do not share a common biological or legal parent are not considered siblings for the purpose of the lottery. A student is defined as “currently in attendance” after he/she has attended at least one full day of school at CCSC and remains enrolled in CCSC.
  2. Cambridge residents: Applicants whose residence is within the Cambridge city limits as of the application deadline.
  3. All other Massachusetts residents: Applicants whose residence is outside the Cambridge city limits, but in the state of Massachusetts as of the application deadline.
How will I know my application has been received? 

Once you complete the online application, you will be redirected to a ‘Thank You’ confirmation page. You should also receive an email confirmation from our enrollment manager, Heshi Schreiber. If you do not receive both of these confirmations, please contact a member of our enrollment team at enrollment@ccscambridge.org or by phone at 781-801-8978. After you apply, a CCSC enrollment team member will reach out to you if your application is incomplete or requires follow-up.

How and when will I be notified if my child gets a seat in the lottery?

All families will be notified of the results of the lottery via phone and email the day the lottery is held. For families of students who we are able to accept, we will mail enrollment offer letters and registration packets the day of the lottery. For families of students who are waitlisted, will mail our waitlist notice the day of the lottery.

What happens after my student is accepted?

Once your child is accepted from our lottery, we will mail you a registration packet. We request you return your completed registration packet by the deadline to reserve your child’s seat. From there, we host a New Student Orientation, which we request you and your child attend. New students are also required to attend our Summer Academy (see below for more information).

What is the orientation process for new students?

When a student has been accepted through the lottery, our enrollment team works with their family to complete all necessary enrollment paperwork. We host Orientations where members of our staff provide sessions on curriculum, school culture, student supports, nutrition, and other topics that are helpful for new students and families.

What is the required Summer Academy for new students?

All new students entering grades 6–10 are required to attend Summer Academy. Attending Summer Academy prepares new students to make a smooth transition to CCSC before the start of the academic year by introducing students to our academic expectations and classroom routines, allowing them to build strong relationships with peers, faculty, and staff before they start in the fall, and completing math and humanities work to keep their academic habits sharp. If a student already plans to attend an outside summer program with a comparable level of academic rigor, he/she may apply for a waiver.

What if my child does not get a seat in the lottery?

Your child will be placed on a waiting list until a space becomes available, or until enrollment closes for the current school year. Wait-listed applications for one school year do not carry over to the next school year’s lottery cycles, but you are welcome to reapply.

Whom should I contact if I have questions about the lottery or enrollment process?

Simply call the school’s main number at 617-354-0047 and ask to speak with a member of the enrollment team. You may also email enrollment@ccscambridge.org.