Admissions Process

SIGN UP FOR A TOUR

We recommend that all families tour, prior to applying, to ensure that there are seats available in the grade(s) you are exploring. You can register here for a tour. All families must tour as part of the application process. 

Note: Students with Learning, Developmental, or Behavioral Needs:

Oak City Academy does not currently have resource teachers, pull-out programs, or additional teachers on staff for one-on-one instruction. Each student receives equal attention within the classroom.

As a result, OCA is not currently equipped to support students who need specialized interventions for significant learning, behavioral, or developmental needs. Oak City Academy accepts the ESA+ and North Carolina Opportunity Scholarships, however accepting these scholarships does not mean OCA can meet every student's learning or developmental needs. Students who currently attend OCA with the ESA+ scholarship typically receive outside services such as speech or occupational therapy and are performing near or above Grade level. Families should reach out to OCA's enrollment team to ensure that their child's needs can be met within our classroom setting before applying. Please note that the application fee is non-refundable, even if the Admissions Board determines that OCA is not the right fit for your child.

If your child requires specialized instruction or a more tailored learning environment, we encourage you to explore schools designed specifically to meet students' additional learning, behavioral, and/or developmental needs.

The formal application process begins when a completed application and the application fee is received through Finalsite (OCA's online admissions software). Please note that once you click the "APPLY NOW" link you will be directed to create an account on Finalsite to begin your child's application. 

Please refer to the “Enrollment Deadlines” above to know when applications are due for early consideration. All fees, including the application fee, are non-refundable.

Applications will open November 4th, 2025 for the 2026-2027 school year.

OCA is a participant with the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program. Full-Time and Blended Model Families may apply for the Opportunity Scholarship Program which is a state scholarship that goes toward OCA Tuition, regardless of income.

Step 1- Apply at OCA. Families whose applications are dependent on the NC Opportunity Scholarship have the option to apply internally at Oak City Academy before or after their possible NC Opportunity scholarship awards. Regardless if funds are received, application fees are non-refundable however applications submitted prior to the Early Enrollment deadline do get first priority. 

Step 2 - Apply for the NC Opportunity Scholarship.  All families must apply for the NC Opportunity Scholarship (NC state lottery) usually between Feb 1st-March 1st. You may apply here http://www.ncseaa.edu/OSG.htm

Confidential Teacher Evaluation Forms are required for each student. Various forms are required, depending on what program and grade your student is applying for, so please follow the instructions below. Note that if teacher evaluations do not give us the academic information we need regarding your student, the Admissions Board may ask for additional references.  

• PK3, PK4, TK, & Full-Time K Applicants: TWO Teacher Evaluation Forms are required from their current/most recent teachers. Examples of who may fill out this form include: Church childcare leaders, Sunday School Teachers, Preschool Teacher, Art Teachers, Sports/Dance Coaches, etc. If you do not have two individuals who have observed your child in a group setting, one reference may come from a family friend who knows your child well (not a relative).  Type the email of the child's reference into the form of on your child's application checklist in Finalsite, and an evaluation form will be sent to them automatically. 

• Full-Time 1st-8th Grade Applicants: TWO Teacher Evaluation Forms are required from your child's most recent school teachers who have taught your child in their core subjects (ex. math, reading, & language arts). One Teacher Evaluation Form must be completed by your child’s most recent/current teacher. If your child does not have a second current teacher who has taught a core subject, then the second Teacher Evaluation Form must be completed by a second teacher or person (other than a relative) who knows the applicant well and has observed him/her regularly in a structured educational setting. This may be a non-core subject, only if necessary. Examples include teachers of subject areas like Science, History, PE, After School Care, a teacher from ONE grade level before, etc. Type the email of the child's reference into the form of on your child's application checklist in Finalsite, and an evaluation form will be sent to them automatically. 

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• Blended Model K-5th Grade Applicants:  TWO Teacher Evaluation Forms are required from the most recent teachers who have taught your child in an academic setting. If your child is coming from a homeschool environment, one Teacher Evaluation Form is filled out by the homeschool parent who teaches the child on a regular basis. The second Teacher Evaluation Form is filled out by an adult (non-family member) who regularly observes the child in a group setting (preferably an academic setting such as a co-op teacher). A private tutor is also acceptable for homeschool families. Type the email of the child's reference into the form of on your child's application checklist in Finalsite, and an evaluation form will be sent to them automatically. 

• Hybrid Model 6th-8th Grade Applicants: TWO Teacher Evaluation Forms are required from your child's most recent school teachers who have taught your child in their core subjects (ex. math, reading, & language arts).  If your child is coming from a homeschool environment, one Teacher Evaluation Form is filled out by the homeschool parent who teaches the child on a regular basis. The second Teacher Evaluation Form is filled out by an adult (non-family member) who regularly observes the child in a group setting (preferably an academic setting such as a co-op teacher). A private tutor is also acceptable for homeschool families. Type the email of the child's reference into the form of on your child's application checklist in Finalsite, and an evaluation form will be sent to them automatically. 

**If your child is NOT coming directly out of a full-time homeschool environment (homeschooled for at least the past 3 months), BOTH Teacher Evals will need to be completed by the most recent academic teachers from your child's previous school. 

2. Parent/Guardian request current school to send records directly to Oak City Academy by entering the registrar's email in the "Records Request Form" on Finalsite. 

• For students coming from a homeschool environment for 2 YEARS OR MORE, you will upload documents (ie. report cards and test scores) directly to "Direct Records Upload" on Finalsite. 
• For students coming from a homeschool environment for LESS THAN 2 years, we will need BOTH: previous public, private, or charter school records  AND your child's most recent homeschool records. 

1. Report Cards (including last 2 years of most recent report cards)
2. Standardized Test Scores (Applies to Full-Time 1st-6th, Blended Model 1st-6th, & Hybrid 7th- 8th grade students only. Not required for RISING PK/TK/K students unless available in those grades)
3. Any additional educational evaluations (includes any education, speech and language, occupational therapy, audiology, psychology, behavioral evaluations from the past 2 years (if any)
4. Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s if any- Applies to all students especially PK/K), 504 Plan, ESL/LEP, Gifted, etc. 
5. Discipline or behavior forms/reports from the past 2 years (if any)
6. Official Transcript (Middle School students only)

Students continuing in the Admissions Process will complete the "Discover OCA" module on their admissions checklist via FinalSite. This module will discuss the core values of the school as well as safety, discipline, illness policies, and the enrollment contract.  

Once you complete the "Discover OCA" module our enrollment team will reach out to sign your student up for their assessment/shadow slot through the calendar link. Plan to stay on campus for 30+ minutes when you drop off your student because our enrollment team will be available at this time for a Q&A if you have any questions about OCA or the admissions process.  Please note that if your child's application is reviewed prior to your child's assessment and it is determined that OCA does not have the resources to service your child, your family would receive an early decision letter and you would not need to attend the assessment. As previously noted, application fees are non-refundable. 

The Admissions Board carefully and prayerfully considers all applications (and paperwork therein) submitted to Oak City Academy. The Admissions Process is described as a journey and we thank you for joining us on this journey. Unfortunately, there are a limited number of seats available in each grade and program, thus not every applicant will be offered a seat in the desired grade/program. Seat decline and wait pool letters can be sent out at any point in the Admissions Process. Classrooms can become full or have extra space quickly and unexpectedly as students accept and decline seats. Seat acceptance letters are sent out at the conclusion of the Admissions Process.

Please keep in mind that, occasionally, a student may only demonstrate readiness for a grade level below what you have applied for OR only demonstrate readiness for the Blended Model (2 Day) Program instead of OCA's Full-Time Program. In that instance, the student's parent/guardian would be notified by a letter from the Admissions Board of the program and/or grade that your child is being offered. Another option is that your student may be offered an Academic Partnership within the grade he/she applied. This is a partnership agreement between the parent/guardian and the school so the child is academically, socially, or emotionally ready by August. The Admissions Board alone determines if students are granted an acceptance letter, wait pool letter, decline letter, grade offering below letter, or an academic partnership letter. 

All grade placements, program placements, and acceptance/decline/wait pool decisions from the Admissions Board are final and may not be appealed, discussed, or detailed.  Thank you for understanding that the Admissions Process is a journey, and the Admissions Board thoughtfully and humbly works through this process. We are grateful for every family who joins us on this journey!