WHAT IS PRE-REGISTRATION? 

Families inquiring about 2025-2026 will need to wait until we begin our Pre-Registration process with tours expected to start in February, 2025. Pre-Registration allows a select number of NEW families to join current families in committing to EARLY registration for the following year. Early registration is done directly with families whose children are in the Pre-Registration Cohort, and starts one week earlier than general registration.

We are a small program, and can only offer a limited number of applicants the option to commit to Pre-Registration. However, for families that are able to secure a spot, this process helps families secure attendance for the coming year.

Pre-Registration process:

  • NEW families take a TOUR during the months of February – April.
  • March 31, 2025: current families can make Pre-Registration commitments with a $300 deposit that applies to the following year
  • April 28th, 2025: Based on availability, NEW families are invited to make Pre-Registration commitments with a required $300 deposit that applies to the following year
  • June, dates TBD: all pre-registrant families attend a parent information meeting for the 2025-2025 year

Committing to Pre-Registration guarantees early sign up (starting in July via email) and first dibs on placement in limited enrollment directed and full-year core courses, including Foundations Math, Pre-Algebra, MS Algebra, ELA (English Language Arts), Mapping the World, and Molecular Science.

Who Should Pre-Register? 

  • Pre-Registration is highly recommended for students whose families are sure they’re going to take classes at OSA, and/or plan to attend full-year courses, and/or attend full time. OSA staff plans in advance specifically for our pre-registrants; they are guaranteed space in most or all courses of choice.
  • The cohort for pre-registration is limited to only those for whom we can guarantee spots. Typically, this is usually about 35 spots.
  • Setting actual schedules begins during the week of Pre-Registration, which is when our full Session 1 schedule is made available to Pre-Registration families. When committing to Pre-Registration in April or May, families fill out a survey whereby they select courses to hold until we begin early registration in July. During this week of Pre-Registration, families can then confirm or drop courses they held.
  • The Pre-Registration Cohort is important! Core and enrichment courses are only planned once we have our Pre-Registration cohort and can be reasonably confident in our staffing needs. We plan our schedule around the needs and interests of this Cohort! This is why Pre-Registration helps us and YOU.
  • A deposit of $300* holds an available spot to pre-register. This applies to Session 1, 2025-2026 fees and is required even if a family is planning to receive funds via a charter school.

If you are first inquiring about OSA and would like a tour or registration consideration, fill out a Registration Request HERE (2025-2026 request link will be available in February, 2025).

*Deposits are refundable only within 48 hours after the June Parent Information Meeting if a family is not satisfied with the plan for the coming year. After that, we plan our Session 1 schedule with our Pre-Registrants in mind, and make commitments to educators based on those numbers. Deposits guarantee that planning. Deposits will be refunded if we decide not to offer a requested class, but otherwise, the return of a deposit is unlikely once Pre-Registration starts IF a child’s cancellation negatively impacts our class groupings or can’t easily be filled. (We can issue a donation letter.) 

PLEASE NOTE:
  • Students who don’t Pre-Register can still attend OSA in the fall, and many join us full time during the course of the year. However, many core classes often CLOSE during early registration in July and only reopen if someone leaves.
  • Once a student begins taking classes at OSA, they have priority for registration in subsequent sessions for that year. This doesn’t carry over until the following year unless a student signs up for Pre-Registration for the coming year.
WHO CAN PRE-REGISTER?
  • Students registered at OSA in Session 4 the previous year.
  • Students who have visited OSA, met with staff, attended a tour, and/or attended a parent meeting.
  • We do have an immunization policy. One Spark Academy follows the same vaccine guidance as required for California public schools. However, a limited number of spots are available for students who are not immunized against transmissible diseases based on these requirements. This limited number is for any reason and based on our total enrollment. Therefore, spots are unlikely to be available during Pre-Registration when our numbers are lowest. Families with non-immunized students may request availability at any time and may request to be added to a wait list. Please note: The COVID-19 vaccine is only recommended, not required. One Spark Academy follows all recommendations from the Department of Public Health (local and state). For details about our policy: Read more here.
IMPORTANT DATES for early registration in 2025-2026:
  • March 31-April 28: the window for current students to commit to pre-register and retain priority
  • April 28: remaining pre-registration spots offered to NEW participants based on availability
  • Tuesday and Thursday, June 10 and 12 (tentative dates): Fall Information Meetings, for current and incoming families. The June 10th meeting is at 6:00 pm IN PERSON. The June 12th meeting is at 7:00 PM, and on ZOOM. Families need only attend one.
  • July (dates TBD): Pre-Registration begins via email for one week
  • July (TBD): General Registration begins. Website updated.
  • Session 1 start date: TBD