Admissions Process

CIJS is a (Pre-k Through 8th Grade) Tuition FREE Charter School 

Application Process

1. Step 1:  Make an account and sign up for the lottery. This can be done by clicking the “Begin Lottery Process” Button. DO NOT MAKE A 2^nd ACCOUNT if you already made one in the past. Instead, contact the school at admissions@CIJSReggioScholars.org and ask them to reset your account.

2. Step 2:  Once you receive the good news that you WON the enrollment lottery, then you will fill out the registration forms.

3. Step 3:  Contingent upon the grade level, you will do the following:

   • • Preschool (Pre-K)

       • Submit ELC certificate

       • Submit Immunizations and health records

     • Grades K-8

       • Submit the withdraw paperwork from your previous school

       • Submit immunizations and health records

4. Step 4:  Welcome to CIJS….You are fully enrolled. Congratulations!  We can’t wait to see you!!

General Enrollment Information

Students entering the following grade levels in the fall must be the designated age BEFORE September 1 in order to be eligible for that grade level:

•         Preschool (VPK) must be 4 years of age

•         Kindergarten must be 5 years of age

•            First grade must be 6 years of age

If you lived out of state and do not meet these guidelines, please email us for more information.

We will base the number of classes per grade levels offered contingent upon the applications received.

Per Florida statute. 1002.31 Each school district and charter school capacity determinations for its schools, by grade level, must be updated every 12 weeks and be identified on the school district and charter school’s websites.

Please note that our grade level capacity may change at any time due to many variables in the enrollment process prior to updating the website capacity every 12 weeks based on the statute. Capacity and availability is based on variables such as but not limited to: available classroom spaces, grade level applications received, required ratios for charter schools etc.   The below information is subject to change.  Therefore, please contact our admissions team for the most up to date openings. 

CIJS has a max capacity per our charter contract of 814 students, As of April 2024, the following capacities apply per grade level.

Pre-K=Call the admissions team for capacity and availability

K=Capacity of 108- available-25

1=Capacity of 108- available-14

2=Capacity of 108-available-15

3=Capacity of 90-available-4

4=Capacity of 110-available-37

5=Capacity of 110-available-34

6=Capacity of 66-avaailable-17

7= Capacity of 66-available-15

8=Capacity of 44-available-8

While considering CIJS, please take time to understand some of the policies of the school. By submitting the application, it indicates that you are aware of and will abide by the policies, procedures, and rules set forth by the school.   

More information regarding our school policies are on the following page:  “School Policies” which is located under the ADMISSIONS tab on the header of the website and on the link below.

CIJS IS NOT A DISTRICT SCHOOL and may have different policies. CIJS has its own Board and is NOT run by the District Board of Education.  CIJS is a choice school. 

Is CIJS the right environment for your child?  While many children thrive at CIJS, it may NOT be the best option for EVERY child.  Please consider all the schools in the area and choose the best option for your child based on environment, policies, curriculum etc.  More information regarding our approved contracted charter school environment is on the following page:  “Will My Child Thrive At CIJS?” which is located under the EXPLORE CIJS tab on the header of the website and on the link below.

Parent/Guardian Commitments    

Parents are viewed as a huge asset to CIJS and an integral part of the Reggio philosophy and the success of the school. The following are ways parents can participate.

• Parents are required to volunteer a minimum of 15 hours per school year. Parents who have more than one child will be required to volunteer a minimum of 20 hours.  Opportunities may include classroom help, school events, tutoring, mentoring, marketing, building items for the school or any other way the family and school agrees that they can contribute to the school community. 

• School supplies

In the event a parent/guardian feels they would like to be more involved in the school but cannot due to their work schedule or other conflicts, we will help them find a project they can complete on their own time. Just reach out and ask!! We can find an area of interest such as but not limited to sewing curtains or making math manipulatives out of wood. 

Student Requirements

Students MUST follow the CIJS Code of Conduct and Behavior Matrix found on our “School Policies” page. Students are also required to wear uniforms which must be purchased through the school.

Application Submission

Students are accepted to the school based on a random lottery by grade level.  We will only accept a completed, signed and dated digital application. All lottery applications MUST be received by the deadline to be considered. Once the initial lottery is completed, enrollment is based on a first come first served basis on any open spots. 

It is recommended that you have the following items ready to submit BEFORE beginning the application. If you start applying and do not have these items, your application will be saved and you can return at a later time to complete it.  However, please note, your application WILL NOT be processed or considered for the lottery drawing if you have not submitted ALL of the required materials BEFORE the deadline.  The digital applications must be completed on a computer. Phones do not work as well.  If you do not have access to one, please go to the school with the required documents and we will help you. 

Required Documents (This determines your preferences in the lottery)

Proof of Residency in Florida. WE DO ACCEPT OUT OF COUNTY APPLICANTS. it is recommended that you get all of the documents ready to upload BEFORE you begin the process. 

Two items from below MUST be attached. All documents must have the same address and the name of the parent/legal guardian.

• *Lease/rental or mortgage agreement, property tax records, Florida driver’s license, current utility bill (electric, cable, water, etc.), income tax record, proof of receipt of governmental benefits, voters registration or auto registration. 

• If the parent/guardian is NOT the lease holder or property owner, then you may bring a notarized letter verifying residency signed by the owner of the home.  In addition, a 2^nd form of proof must be presented.

Please contact us at admissions@CIJSReggioScholars.org  or call our enrollment team at 407-979-4161 with questions.  If you have any trouble with the application process, reach out. We will help you!!

CIJS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, ancestry, creed, marital status, citizenship status, military or veteran status, national origin, disability, age or any other legally protected characteristic.