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FERNLEAF FAQS

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FernLeaf Adventure Sports Backpacking

Future FernLeaf  Family FAQs

  • How does enrollment work at FernLeaf?
    FernLeaf has an Open Enrollment period where applications are accepted for the FOLLOWING school year. The Open Enrollment period is from January 1st through March 15th. Our lottery is then held within 2 weeks of the Open Enrollment period closing. Once the Open Enrollment period is closed, all further applications are added to the waitlist for that student's specific grade level in the order that they are received.
  • How do I apply to enroll my child at FernLeaf?
    Apply on the FernLeaf website or you may request a hard copy be mailed to you. Applications cannot be considered complete and cannot be processed until proof of residency is received. Head to our application here.
  • How do I know what school year I'm applying for?
    All applications received between January 1st and March 15th (this time period is referred to as Open Enrollment OR Open Application Period) will be entered into our annual school lottery and will be for the NEXT school year. The lottery is held shortly after this period closes and will create our waitlist as well as class rosters. If you are filling out an application after March 16th, your application will be accepted and added to our waitlist in the order that they are received.
  • Does applying earlier during the open enrollment period help my student's chances of enrollment?
    No, all applications received in the open enrollment period are entered into the enrollment lottery, which determines both the order that students that are offered enrollment and the order of the initial waitlist. Applications received after the open enrollment period are placed at the bottom of the waitlist in the order they are received.
  • At what age can my child start at FernLeaf?
    A child must be five years old on or before August 31st of the year for which they are applying for enrollment.
  • What information do I need to complete an application?
    Basic personal information and proof of residency (examples include a copy of your driver's license or state ID, current lease, mortgage, or deed of trust, voter or vehicle registration card, home insurance card, utility bill, armed forces or government ID card).
  • How long does it take to submit an application?
    Just a few minutes to complete the requested information and submit proof of residency.
  • Do I have to live in Henderson County to apply?
    No, any student residing in North Carolina may apply.
  • I currently live out of state but am moving to North Carolina soon, can I apply now?
    No, your child must reside in North Carolina at the time of application.
  • How will I know if FernLeaf has received my application and if it is complete?
    A FernLeaf representative will contact you by email or phone within one week confirming the status of your application. Upon receipt of all required items, you will receive an application number which will be used for student identification in the lottery or be given a waitlist number.
  • I've heard FernLeaf is difficult to get into. What are my odds of being offered a slot at FernLeaf?
    This is a difficult question to answer as "the odds" CHANGE EVERY YEAR based on how many slots are available in each grade level AND how many applications we receive for that grade level. Enrollment trends also change from year to year, so it is difficult to determine probability. Applying is easy though so you have nothing to lose! All applications received after March 15th are added to the waitlist in the order they are received.
  • How will I know if my child has been offered a slot at FernLeaf?
    Immediately following the lottery, a student's individual result will be emailed to the email address used when the application was submitted. Families will be notified either that they received a slot for the following school year OR their place on the waitlist. Families may also contact the school directly, via phone or email, at any time.
  • How can I find out my child's place on the waitlist?
    Immediately following the lottery, a student's individual result will be emailed to the email address used when the application was submitted. Families will be notified either that they received a slot for the following school year OR their place on the waitlist. Families may also contact the school directly, via phone or email, at any time.
  • How does FernLeaf's lottery work?
    FernLeaf's open enrollment period is between January 1st - March 15th and any applications we receive are placed into the lottery. It does not matter if you applied first or you applied last within this time frame as all valid applications are randomized and selected blindly. Essentially we take all the names, place them in a hat, and draw them out one by one to create the order of both . We of course do not use this "hat" method, but utilize a computer program that essentially performs the same function.
  • How does the lottery work if I have twins or other multiple birth siblings?
    Multiple birth siblings will be entered as one number into any grade level lottery. If this number is drawn all multiple birth siblings will be offered enrollment.
  • If my child didn't get in last year but was on the waitlist, do I need to re-apply this year?
    Yes, you will need to reapply during the Open Enrollment period of January 1st through March 15th of the following year. The waitlist does not carry over from one year to the next.
  • I still have questions. How do I learn more?
    There are a few different options available to you. Sign up for an in-person tour, see our school in action AND get all of your questions answered by someone on our staff. Sign up for our email list and we'll send you 4-6 emails over a 4 week period that go more into depth on what makes FernLeaf truly unique! Get on our email list so we can notify you of our annual Open House event that takes place in March every year. Call or email our AMAZING enrollment coordinator at: info@fernleafccs.org OR 828.630.1150 We can't wait to meet you!
  • How much does it cost to attend FernLeaf?
    FernLeaf is PUBLIC charter school in NC and is, therefore, tuition free. There is no tuition type cost to attend FernLeaf.
  • Where are you located?
    Check out our campuses page here to see virtual tours and addresses of both of our campuses: https://www.fernleafccs.org/campuses
  • How are the grade levels split up now that FernLeaf has two campuses?
    Our Creek Campus, located off of Howard Gap Road, houses our K - 4th grade classes. Our Wilderness Campus, located 2 miles from the Creek Campus on Old Hendersonville Road, houses 5th grade through high school classes.
  • Can students have cell phones at school?
    We are a cell-phone free campus. We ask all students to keep their cell phones at home during the school day. If a student needs to be reached during the school day we ask parents to call the office and teachers will convey the message.

Still have enrollment questions?

Call our Enrollment Coordinator at 828-630-1150.

Learn More

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