Enrollment - The Cottonwood School - Free Public Charter School in the Sacramento area

The Cottonwood School is a tuition-free public charter school. We offer dynamic homeschooling pathways for TK-12, a uniquely personalized, whole-learner approach that nurtures academic, social, and emotional achievement. We have a variety of virtual academic programs. Additionally, we offer a Montessori-inspired high school hybrid program at our El Dorado Hills campus. We serve El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Placer, and Sacramento counties.

Join our 2027-28 Interest List

Open Enrollment is Now Closed

Open Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year for The Cottonwood School ended March 8. If you would like to join the interest list for the 2027-28 school year, please use the button below.

Join interest List for 2027-28

Enrollment Options

Join interest List for 2027-28

Cottonwood Programs (TK-12)

Homeschool program - parent-led and teacher-supported
- 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 programs and classes available through TK Explorers, Superstar Readers, Boost, and Cottonwood Virtual Academy - Middle School, Cottonwood Virtual Academy - High School, and Career Technical Education pathways (CTE)
Whole-learner programs nurture social, emotional, and physical wellness, in addition to academic excellence
Cottonwood College Prep Academy - Hybrid high school program includes mandatory in-person instruction Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM and online classes.
- Interdisciplinary and Project-Based Montessori-inspired learning.
- Fridays are completely off-site Independent Study
National Honor Society and Junior Honor Society chapters
NCAA-approved courses
College & Career planning supported by the School Counseling Department
Concurrent Enrollment opportunities with community colleges
Graduation program offered to align with the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) A-G requirements

Enrollment Help

Enrollment Office Hours

Open Enrollment Office Hours w/enrollment team, high school team, SPED team, and a family liaison
February 19th-March 5th
Every Thursday from 9am-10am
Office Hours Zoom link (Feb. 19-Mar 5)

Open Enrollment Office Hours w/the enrollment team
March 6th-April 27th
Every Friday from 3-4pm
Office Hours Zoom link (Mar. 6-Apr. 27)

Have more questions?
Email enrollment@cottonwoodk12.org, and we’ll get back to you.

Admissions Process At a Glance

Step 1: Apply

Please apply using the buttons above. You will be contacted when space is available.
Upon completing the enrollment application, 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

Proof of Age

Immunization Records

Immunizations are NOT a requirement of enrollment in a non-classroom-based charter school (our Homeschool Program), but they are required for students attending CCPA: A Hybrid High School Program.

All students, regardless of whether they are applying for the Homestudy Program or CCPA: A Hybrid High School Program, 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 (no water bills)
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

Copy of 504 and/or IEP

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know my enrollment form was successfully submitted?

What counties do you serve?

How do I learn more about the programs offered?

What is your Kindergarten Policy?

What is your Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Policy?

How often are instructional funds dispersed and how much is allocated to each student?

Instructional funds are dispersed twice a year, in July and October. For the 2026-27 school year, the allocation is $2,600 for TK, $3,000 for grades K-8, and $3,400 for grades 9-12. Parents and Homeschool Teachers work together to determine the best instructional materials and educational services to order through an online ordering system to support each student’s educational program.