Admissions Policy
The Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication (ISAAC) is a free public charter school open to all sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students in Southeastern Connecticut. Our charter states that our student population is based on 50% New London residents and 50% from surrounding towns. Transportation is guaranteed to students in the New London school district. Other towns may elect to provide transportation.
Families interested in ISAAC are highly encouraged to attend an informational meeting that will discuss the difference between charter school and traditional education. The meeting is designed to allow students and their families to make an informed choice.
All students who wish to attend ISAAC must submit an application. Student applications are available on our website, www.isaacschool.org, and in the main office. Each year, ISAAC admits new students for each grade, depending upon the availability of open slots. Students are selected based on a fair, random lottery, which ensures all students have an equal opportunity to enroll. The lottery is held during late winter/early spring. Students that are not selected will be added to a waiting list. If an opening occurs, the first student on the waiting list at that grade level will fill the vacant space.
a. Sibling Policy: For purposes of the admissions process and lottery, siblings of a current ISAAC student whose primary residence is in the same household will be granted admission. An application must be completed before the lottery has been held to guarantee admission.
If a parent/guardian wishes to enroll a sibling after the lottery has been held, the parent will complete an application for their child, and that child will be added to the waiting list. If another sibling (same age or older) gains entry that has a sibling on the waiting list, that sibling moves to the top of the waiting list for their grade level after any other siblings already on the list.
When the number of siblings exceeds the number of available spaces, a separate lottery will be held for siblings to determine enrollment, at the discretion of the Executive Director.
Prospective students whose sibling(s) is not a current student enrolled at ISAAC must complete an application and enter the lottery.
b. Children of ISAAC employees: Any current employee may elect to enroll their child at ISAAC, provided they complete an application and there is an opening.
c. Military Families: ISAAC may assist families of the Armed Forces who are currently active duty and/or transfer to the region following the regular application period, at the discretion of the Executive Director. “Armed Forces” means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. “Active duty” means full-time duty in the active military service of the United States, including full-time training duty, annual training duty, employment, and attendance, while in the active military service, at a school designed as a service school by law or by the Secretary of the military department concerned.
Applicants who apply after the lottery has been held for that year will be added to the waiting list created at the time of the lottery.
If an opening occurs and all students on the waiting list for that grade level have been called, a student from another grade level may be offered a seat, at the discretion of the Executive Director.