Admission Process

The Utica Academy of Science Charter School (UASCS) is a tuition-free, college preparatory charter school. All children K-12 with interest in academic and individual success, a personal drive to expand their global knowledge, and a desire to become part of a school community and a family are welcome.

Non-Discrimination Statement

A charter school shall not discriminate against or limit the admission of any student on any unlawful basis, including based on ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, intellectual ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, athletic ability, race, creed, national origin, religion, or ancestry. A school may not require any action by a student or family (such as an admissions test, interview, essay, attendance at an information session, etc.) for an applicant to either receive or submit an application for admission to that school. 


General Information

Admission to the UASCS shall not be limited based on intellectual ability, achievement or aptitude, athletic ability, disability, race, creed, national origin, religion, or on any other ground that would be unlawful. All children eligible for enrollment in New York State schools in the available grades will be eligible to enroll in the charter school, subject to availability and the process set forth below. 

UASCS will admit each eligible student who submits a timely application unless the number of applications exceeds the capacity of the student’s requested grade level or the school building. Prospective students and their parents or guardians are encouraged to spend a day visiting the school and sitting in on a classroom instruction period. Students and their parents/guardians must understand the values of the school along with its academic and social expectations before they are asked to decide to enroll their children. The school will take necessary additional steps to ensure all information is provided. The school will make staff available to any parent or guardian who needs help completing the application.

As a public charter school, UASCS is tuition-free. Parents or guardians wishing to apply for their child to attend UASCS must complete and apply Online - Application Link. The school does not require any action (beyond applying) on the part of potential students or their families as a condition of enrollment. The application deadline is by the first day of April each year.


Admissions and Enrollment Process

UASCS will determine the available seats after giving preference to the students returning to the charter school in the second or subsequent year of operation. Suppose the number of timely submitted applications of eligible students for admission to a UASCS exceeds the capacity of the grade level of the school. In that case, students will be accepted for admission among such applicants by a random selection process (lottery). 

The admissions lottery will be conducted in April. The admissions lottery will be well publicized and open to the public.

Before UASCS’s admissions lottery, a database will be generated containing the name, grade level, and district of residence of every student who has applied. During the lottery, an individual unaffiliated with UASCS will supervise the use of computer software to generate a randomized, ordered list of all students who have applied. UASCS will then use the ordered list (separate for each school) to admit students using the following process:

  • First, employees' children will be admitted in the order their name appears in the list up to 15% of the charter school’s total enrollment.
  • Second, siblings of current UASCS students will be admitted in the order their name appears on the list.
  • Third, students residing in the school district in which the charter school is located are listed in the order that their name appears on the list.
  • Fourth, if additional seats remain, students living outside the local school district will be admitted in the order that their name appears on the list.
  • ELL students will be given additional weight.

Once a student has been admitted to a UASCS, within a week, parents or guardians will be notified by email, telephone, and/or by letters sent to the residence provided in the application. The admitted student list will be available at the school’s main office, and it is the parent’s responsibility to check the status of their students. The following documents listed below will be required to complete the enrollment.

  1. A copy of the student’s birth certificate (to verify that the student is of the appropriate age for the entering grade)
  2. The student’s most recent report card
  3. A high school transcript with Regents grades (if applicable)
  4. A copy of the most recent IEP, 504 plan, or speech therapy plan (if applicable)
  5. Immunization records
  6. Documentation of a physical examination (done within the past 12 months)
  7. Documentation of a dental exam for all new students.
  8. Documentation for proof of address (include two of the following documents):
    • A residential utility bill (gas or electric) in the resident’s name
    • Document on letterhead from federal, state, or city agency – including City Housing Authority or the Human Resources Administration – that states the home address
    • Official payroll documentation from an employer, such as a form submitted for tax withholding purposes or a payroll receipt
    • An original lease agreement, deed, or mortgage statement for the residence
    • A current property tax bill for the residence
    • A water bill, cable bill, or phone bill for the residence
    • Medical or Insurance Card

These forms and enrollment confirmation must be submitted by the end of May. The admitted student who submitted all required forms and documents by the deadline is automatically guaranteed a seat at UASCS for all subsequent grade levels unless that student withdraws from the school. At the end of each school year, parents or guardians will be asked to submit a letter confirming their desire to enroll their child in the school for the following year.


Waiting List

Students whose names are not selected from the list during the admissions lottery are placed on the UASCS waiting list in the order that their names appear on the original list. In addition, students who apply after the deadline will be placed on the waiting list in the receiving order. A separate waiting list will be maintained for each grade level.

When an admitted student submits the required documentation by the deadline or an enrolled student withdraws from the school, the school will contact the parent or guardian of the student next on the waiting list. Reasonable and multiple attempts will be made to contact the student's family on the top of the waiting list and get confirmation of whether the student is still interested in enrolling at the charter school before proceeding to the next name on the list. Families will be given 24 hours to respond with intentions to enroll a student, or the space will be forfeited to the next applicant on the waitlist. The waitlist for each grade level will be maintained until the end of the school year. Waiting lists will not be carried over from year to year.


Application FAQ

When will the application process open?

UASCS's application process for the 2023-2024 school year is now open.

How can I apply for my child?

When is my application due?

Applications are due by midnight of April 1, 2023.

When is the lottery?

The lottery drawing for Utica Academy of Science Charter School (UASCS) is on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, starting at 9:00 am at UAS ES Cafeteria at 160 School Lane Frankfort, NY 13340.


Admission FAQ

How do I know if my child is accepted into the UASCS?

UASCS will notify you directly with either a letter or a phone call to let you know whether your child has been accepted. You will then be required to contact the school to finalize the enrollment.

If my child is enrolled in UASCS, will his/her younger siblings also be able to attend UASCS?

Siblings of students enrolled in UASCS must still apply to the school. They will, however, receive preference.

If I do not live in Utica City School District, can my child still apply for UASCS?

Yes, students appropriately aged for our grades can apply for admission. 

Does UASCS accept students who are English Language Learners (ELL)?

Yes, UASCS gives and accepts English Language Learners (ELL) students. However, we encourage parents to speak directly with our school leaders to understand better the instructional strategies our school uses to support the academic growth of English Language Learners.

Does UASCS accept students who have a current IEP?

Yes, we encourage students who have a current IEP to apply. UASCS will help meet the goals and objectives outlined in students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEP). However, we encourage parents to speak directly with our school leaders to understand better the instructional strategies our school uses to support the academic growth of these students.

UASCS

Utica Academy of Science Charter School is part of Science Academies of New York.

UAS Elementary School

160 School Lane,
Frankfort, NY 13340
Phone: 315-574-3000
Fax: 315-574-3008
uasesmainoffice@sany.org

UAS J/S High School

160 School Lane,
Frankfort, NY 13340
Phone: 315-266-1072
Fax: 315-266-1073
uashsmainoffice@sany.org

SANY

1409 W Genesee St,
Syracuse, NY 13204
Phone: 315-671-5470
Fax: 315-671-5475
info@sany.org

Transportation

For transportation related questions, please call transportation department in the district you live.
UCSD Transportation: 315-797-4933