Important Enrollment Dates
Please apply using one of the buttons in the section below.
The Cottonwood School is a tuition-free public charter school. We offer dynamic homeschooling programs for TK-12, a uniquely personalized, whole-learner approach that nurtures academic, social, and emotional achievement. Additionally, we offer a Montessori-inspired high school program at our El Dorado Hills campus. We serve El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Placer, and Sacramento counties.
Enrollment Pathways
Homestudy (TK-8)
- Homestudy program. Parent responsible for daily instruction to ensure student’s success
- Parent choice of curriculum and learning approaches with credentialed teacher (HST) support and guidance
- Instructional funds available for Community Partners, school-sponsored events and field trips, or to personalize student’s course of study
- Virtual classes available through Superstar Readers, Boost, and RISE
- Whole-learner programs nurture social, emotional, and physical wellness, in addition to academic excellence
- National Junior Honor Society chapter
Homestudy College & Career (9-12)
- Homestudy program. Parent responsible for daily instruction to ensure student’s success
- Access to RISE virtual classes (live or self-paced) with a full selection of A-G courses.
- Instructional funds available for Community Partners, school-sponsored events and field trips, or to personalize student’s course of study
- College & Career planning supported by the School Counseling Department
- Concurrent Enrollment opportunities with community colleges
- Graduation pathway offered to align with the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) A-G requirements
- Multiple career and technical education pathways (CTE)
- Flexible schedule allowing for extracurricular pursuits
- National Honor Society chapter
- NCAA-approved courses
College Prep Academy (9-12)
- Hybrid program. In-person Monday-Thursday 8:30am-1pm and online classes
- College & Career planning supported by the School Counseling Department
- Concurrent Enrollment opportunities with community colleges
- Graduation requirements align with the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) A-G requirements
- National Honor Society chapter
- More info at http://cottonwoodhs.org/
*CCPA enrollment for the 2023-24 school year has closed.
Connect With Cottonwood
If you have questions or need help with enrollment, please email enrollment@cottonwoodk12.org or call 530-285-2003 ext 3.
More Information
Click the image below to open a pdf document with more enrollment information.
Open a text version of the slide deck if you need to translate or view an accessible version of the deck
Homestudy Admissions Process At a Glance
CCPA Admissions Process can be viewed at www.cottonwoodhs.org
Step 1: Apply
- Please apply using the button below. You will be contacted when space is available.
- Upon completing the enrollment form, you will receive an automated email response to confirm your form was received. This email does not guarantee admission. If you cannot find the email in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folders. This automated email comes from noreply@jotform.com
- If you have any questions or need support, you can reach out to our Enrollment Team at (530) 285-2003 Option 3.
Step 2: Enrollment Offer (Spot Confirmation)
- If/when space is available, the Enrollment Department will email you a spot confirmation survey as your offer of enrollment.
- Families have three days to accept or decline their enrollment offer. Families who do not respond to the initial offer will be automatically placed on the waiting list for consideration at a later date.
Step 3: Registration
- The Enrollment Department will email you a link to Reg-Online, the online registration portal where families will upload the required enrollment documents and digitally sign the required enrollment forms.
- Families will have a 7-day window to complete registration. Incomplete applications will be added to the waitlist for consideration at a later date.
- Please see required documents listed below.
Required Documents*
If your child receives a spot for the school year, you will be asked to provide a full copy of the following documentation:
Student Application
A full application will be sent to you with the offer letter.
Proof of Age
Birth certificate, passport, etc. Foreign birth certificates accepted.
Immunization Records
Immunizations are NOT a requirement of enrollment in a non-classroom-based charter school (our homestudy pathway), but they are required for students attending our high school site-based pathway and our High School Learning Center, Monday-Thursday from 1-3pm.
All students, regardless of whether they are applying for the homestudy pathway or the high school site-based pathway, must provide a copy of immunization records or fill out this immunization document. (If your child is not immunized, please fill out the top section with name, address, etc. and return the document.)
Proof of Residency in Our Service Area
- Utility bill
- Property tax receipt
- Current mortgage/rental agreement w/signature page
- Current home or rental insurance agreement. Contracts must have the signature page. Contracts older than 90 days, must be accompanied by documentation from the landlord stating the agreement is still in effect.
- Correspondence from a government agency such as CalWORKS, Social Security, Medi-Cal
Oral Health Exam
California law (Education Code Section 49452.8) states your child must have a dental check-up for their first year in public school. A California licensed dental professional operating within their scope of practice must perform the check-up and fill out Section 2 of this dental form. If your child had a dental check-up in the 12 months before they started school, ask your dentist to fill out Section 2. If you are unable to get a dental check-up for your child, fill out Section 3.
CHDP Health Exam
Parents/guardians must submit a completed health assessment (or waiver) 18 months before or up to 90 days after enrolling their child/ren in first grade. Parents are encouraged, however, to report this information at or before kindergarten entry since the Report of Health Examination and Report of Immunizations are best completed at the same time.
Copy of 504 and/or IEP
If applicable
Caregiver Affidavit
If applicable
*If you are unable to provide these documents due to your living situation, you may still be eligible under federal and state law to enroll your child in school. Please visit our page on resources for homeless and foster youth for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know my enrollment form was successfully submitted?
You will receive an automatic confirmation email with a copy of your enrollment form answers. If you cannot find the email in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folders.
What counties do you serve?
Our school serves TK through 12th-grade students in El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Placer, and Sacramento counties.
How do I learn more about the programs offered?
You can learn more about our programs by watching the short video above, visiting other pages on our website, attending one of the informational sessions listed above or attending one of the upcoming informational sessions (dates coming soon). For any other questions, please email info@cottonwoodk12.org.
What is your Kindergarten Policy?
Students entering Kindergarten for the 2023-24 school year must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023.
What is your Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Policy?
For the 2023-24 school year, our TK program will be offered to students who will turn 5 between September 2, 2023 – April 2, 2024.
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Students Say
We had the same teacher for 6 years and she was such a gift to us. Her love, enthusiasm, caring, encouragement, empathy, knowledge,… The list could go on and on!
– Baxter Family
We had no idea what we were doing three years ago. Now my first grader doesn’t even know that she is actually learning most of the time. We have so much fun doing “work.”
– Powers Family