- Cresthaven Academy Charter School
- Enrollment Process
ENROLLMENT PROCESS
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Each school year, Cresthaven Academy Charter School enrolls 75 kindergarten students and backfills any open seats in grades 1-8. Admission is determined by a random lottery. There is no tuition fee. All students in Plainfield, including English Language Learners and students with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now closed. Applications will re-open post our lottery on February 1, 2025.
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How does the admissions and lottery process work?
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Application for enrollment must be submitted by February 17th, 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year.
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Applications will be reviewed and preferences (sibling or in-district) will be verified by a member of the admissions department at Cresthaven Academy
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The random lottery will be held on February 24th, 2025 for the 25-26 school year.
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Each applicant will receive a random number generated by the lottery. This number will indicate your placement for either the offered seats or waitlist for the 25-26 school year.
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Siblings of currently enrolled Cresthaven Academy students will receive priority placement for any open seats within the associated grade level. If no seats are available for that grade level, the student will be placed at the top of the waitlist.
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Plainfield residents will receive in-district preference for the lottery. If there are any open seats in that grade level after sibling priority has been established, placement will be given to the students with in-district preference based on the random lottery.
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All additional students will be placed on the waitlist based on the random lottery. Applications received post-lottery will be added to the bottom of the waitlist based on the timeline in which they submit the completed application.
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If your child has been offered a seat for the 25-26 school year, someone from the Admissions Office will be in contact with you. You may also review the placement on the applicant's schoolmint account.
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What documents are needed to enroll?
Upon acceptance, families will be directed to complete the registration packet within the SchoolMint application. Additional documentation includes the following:
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Proof of residency: property deed, mortgage statement, lease, current utility bill, if the bills are not in your name, you must bring an Affidavit of Resident notarized by the person you live with and one of the utility bills.
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Proof of guardianship — One of the following:
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Original birth certificate with raised seal (hospital birth certificate is not acceptable)or Passport
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Copy of section of court decree awarding custody
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Transfer card from resident district. If enrolling into a school for the first time (i.e. kindergarten or after homeschooling), you will need to first register with your resident district. They will provide a transfer card for enrollment at Cresthaven Academy.
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Up‑to‑date immunization record from school or doctor.
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Up-to-date physical examination from doctor
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What if my child is placed on the waitlist?
Children placed on the waitlist will be called in the order of the lottery placement when and if seats open for that grade level.
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What does in-district preference mean?
In-District preference is only for students who reside in Plainfield, NJ. They will perceive placement preference during the lottery before their out-of district counterparts.
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Is there sibling preference?
Yes. Siblings of current Cresthaven Academy scholars will receive sibling preference during the lottery. Siblings must have an application on file in order to be considered for sibling preference.
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Do we need to live in Plainfield to apply?
No! Plainfield residents do receive in-district preference when it comes time for the lottery. However, individuals living in any district are welcome to apply.
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What are the requirements to apply?
Kindergarten Age Requirement: Kindergarten applicants must be 5 years old by October 1 of the year they plan to enter kindergarten. For the 2025-26 school year, children must be 5 years old by October 1, 2025.
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Does Cresthaven Academy charge tuition?
No! Cresthaven Academy is a tuition-free public charter school.
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When can I apply for my child to attend Cresthaven Academy?
Cresthaven Academy accepts applications up to three years before your child’s Kindergarten year. For example, if you're interested in applying for the 2025-26 Kindergarten class, you can submit an application now. The public lottery for the 2025-26 school year will be held in February 2025.
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Can I still apply for the current school year?
Yes! Applications for the current school year are open during the school year. When you go to apply online, make sure to select the appropriate school year.
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How can I find out the results of the lottery?
Someone from the Cresthaven Academy front office or admissions office will reach out regarding your placement.
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When is the Cresthaven Academy public lottery held?
The random public lottery will be held February 24th, 2025. Applications for the 25-26 school year are due by midnight on February 17th.
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Admissions Specialist
Paola Gerardi
Phone: (908) 756-1234, ext. 1631
Email: pgerardi@cresthavenacademy.org
