Guides
Charter School Lottery and Application Timeline
Most large charter networks open applications between September and November and hold their lotteries in February. For 2027-28, IDEA Public Schools opened applications September 1, 2026 and holds its Texas lottery February 20, 2027. Great Hearts Arizona runs open enrollment November 2 to December 31, 2026. State law requires a lottery when applications exceed seats, but each school sets its own dates. Start marketing a month before your window opens, and keep going after the lottery: across 20 Taylor Wiz charter school accounts, a submitted application cost $103 both before and after the lottery.
September 1, 2026
first 2027-28 applications open
IDEA Public Schools
February
when most large networks hold lotteries
IDEA, Lake Norman Charter
$103
per submitted application before and after the lottery
Taylor Wiz benchmark
$247
in September
Taylor Wiz benchmark
When do charter school applications open?
Between September and November for the large networks, for the following school year. Each school sets its own dates.
| Network | State | 2027-28 applications open | Lottery or deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDEA Public Schools | Texas | September 1, 2026 | Lottery February 20, 2027 |
| KIPP Texas | Texas | October 1, 2026 | Deadline not yet posted |
| IDEA Public Schools | Florida | October 15, 2026 | Lottery February 20, 2027 |
| Lake Norman Charter | North Carolina | November 1, 2026 | Applications close January 31; lottery February 11, 2027 |
| Great Hearts Arizona | Arizona | November 2, 2026 | Open enrollment closes December 31, 2026 |
Sources: each network's enrollment page, checked October 3, 2026.
What this means for a standalone charter. Families in your area start hearing "apply now" from large networks in September. If your window opens in January, most families have already applied somewhere.
Does a charter school have to hold a lottery?
Yes, when applications exceed seats, in all 4 states we cover. The law sets the rule; the school sets the dates.
| State | What the law requires when applications exceed seats | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | Fill seats by lottery, or in the order applications arrived | Texas Education Code Section 12.117 |
| Florida | All applicants get an equal chance through a random selection process | Section 1002.33(10)(b), Florida Statutes |
| Arizona | An equitable selection process such as a lottery, with preference for returning students and siblings | A.R.S. 15-184 |
| North Carolina | Students are accepted by lot | G.S. 115C-218.45 |
Federal rule. A charter school that receives federal Charter Schools Program funds must use a lottery if more students apply than it can admit (U.S. Department of Education, Charter Schools Program Nonregulatory Guidance, January 2014).
What is a weighted lottery?
A lottery that gives some applicants slightly better odds. Under the federal Charter Schools Program guidance, a charter school receiving program funds may weight its lottery in favor of educationally disadvantaged students, if state law permits it. Weighted lotteries may not be used to create a school that serves only one group.
Preferences are different from weights. Arizona, for example, allows preference for returning students, siblings, children of employees and board members, foster youth, and children of military families (A.R.S. 15-184). Your ads should mention a preference only if your school uses it.
Can a charter school fill seats first come, first served?
In Texas, yes, with a notice rule. A Texas charter can fill seats in the order applications arrive instead of by lottery. If it does, it must publish its application deadline in a local newspaper at least 7 days before the deadline (Texas Education Code Section 12.117).
In Florida, Arizona, and North Carolina, an oversubscribed charter selects by random lottery. Applications that arrive after the lottery deadline generally go on the waitlist in the order received. KIPP Texas, for example, accepts applications year-round and places late applications on the waitlist in order.
What should a charter school's marketing calendar look like?
Start before your window opens, peak before your deadline, and keep recruiting through July.
| Month | Where families are | What to run |
|---|---|---|
| September to October | Large networks open applications | Launch ads and inquiry follow-up a month before your window opens |
| November to January | Peak application season | Full push; deadline reminders to every family who inquired but has not applied |
| February | Lotteries and offers | Make offers fast; keep advertising for waitlist and open grades |
| March to July | Families decline offers, move, and change plans | Recruit for open seats and work the waitlist; cost per application holds |
| August | First day approaches | Call every accepted family to confirm; limit new ad spend |
| September | School has started | Spend little; applications cost the most of the year |
In Arizona, private school ESA applications run year-round, so charter inquiry follow-up cannot stop either. In North Carolina and Florida, private school scholarship season opens in February, the same month as charter lotteries.
Does recruiting still work after the lottery?
Yes. A submitted application cost $103 in Meta ad spend from April to July, the same as from October to March. It rose to $151 in August and $247 in September.
Ad spend per submitted application.
Source: Taylor Wiz Charter Enrollment Marketing Benchmark 2026.
View the data
| Period | Ad spend per submitted application |
|---|---|
| October 2025 to March 2026 (before and during lottery season) | $103 |
| April 2026 to July 2026 (after the lottery) | $103 |
| August 2026 | $151 |
| September 2026 | $247 |
Source: Taylor Wiz Charter Enrollment Marketing Benchmark 2026, 20 charter school accounts, pulled October 1, 2026. Full method on the benchmark.
What this means. A school that stops advertising in February leaves its cheapest months after the lottery unused. Seats that open in spring and summer can be filled at the same cost as seats filled in the fall.
What happens after the lottery?
- Offers go out, with short deadlines. KIPP Texas gave 2026-27 families 10 days to accept an offer. A family that does not answer in time loses the seat to the waitlist.
- The waitlist moves. Families decline, move, or choose another school. Call down the waitlist in order as seats open.
- Registration documents decide enrollment. A family that accepts but never returns documents does not enroll. Follow up until the packet is complete.
- Summer melt. Some families who accept in spring do not show up in August. Confirm every family in late July and early August.
Taylor Wiz works each family until the application is submitted. Your school takes it from there: lottery, offers, registration, and enrollment.
Frequently asked questions
When do charter school applications open for 2027-28?
For the large networks, between September and November 2026. IDEA Public Schools opened September 1, KIPP Texas October 1, Lake Norman Charter in North Carolina November 1, and Great Hearts Arizona November 2. Each school sets its own dates.
When are charter school lotteries held?
Most large networks hold them in February. IDEA Public Schools holds its Texas lottery February 20, 2027, and Lake Norman Charter February 11, 2027.
Does every charter school hold a lottery?
Only when applications exceed seats. Texas also lets a charter fill seats in the order applications arrive, if it publishes its deadline in a local newspaper at least 7 days ahead (Texas Education Code Section 12.117).
When should a charter school start marketing for next year?
A month before its application window opens, which for most schools means September or October. A submitted application cost $103 from October through July and $247 in September, across 20 Taylor Wiz charter school accounts.
Is it worth advertising after the lottery?
Yes. A submitted application cost $103 from April to July, the same as before the lottery. Seats open as families decline offers and move.
Can a charter school give preference to siblings?
Where state law allows it. Arizona, for example, allows preference for returning students and siblings (A.R.S. 15-184). Check your state's law and your charter before you advertise a preference.
How much does Taylor Wiz cost?
Pricing is scoped to each school on a strategy call, based on your enrollment goals and your market.
Find out what a seat actually costs you
Bring your current enrollment numbers and ad spend. We will map your funnel from inquiry to submitted application and show you where families are lost.
Written by Will Rodriguez, Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Reviewed for accuracy against state statutes, federal guidance, and network calendars.
- Published
- Last updated
Sources
- IDEA Public Schools, 2027-28 applications
- KIPP Texas, homepage (2027-28 applications open October 1)
- KIPP Texas, Five Things to Know About the 2026-27 KIPP Texas Student Lottery (January 12, 2026)
- Great Hearts, 2027-2028 Open Enrollment in Arizona
- Lake Norman Charter, Enrollment
- Texas Education Code Section 12.117
- Section 1002.33, Florida Statutes
- A.R.S. 15-184
- G.S. 115C-218.45
- U.S. Department of Education, Charter Schools Program Title V, Part B Nonregulatory Guidance (January 2014)
- Taylor Wiz Charter Enrollment Marketing Benchmark 2026