What Happens After You Apply
Submitting your application is just the beginning. Here is exactly what to expect once you are in the system.
Your Application Status You can check your application status at any time by logging into your School Mint portal. Once the lottery runs in the first week of March, you will receive one of four statuses:
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Processing: Your application is under review before entering the lottery.
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Waitlist: No seat is available at this time. We encourage you to secure a place at your second choice school while you wait. We will contact you throughout the year as seats become available.
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Offer: You have been offered a seat. You must log into School Mint and accept within 48 hours of published results. No exceptions.
If You Are Offered a Seat Welcome to CCA! Accept your seat in School Mint and upload all required documents within 48 hours. Once accepted you will be added to our weekly newsletter, The Cornerstone Chronicles, published every Friday. If you do not see it in your inbox, check your spam folder for "Chronicles."
If You Are Waitlisted We know waiting is hard. Please plan to attend your second choice school as soon as you learn of your waitlisted status. We cannot predict when or if a seat will become available, and we would never want your child to miss an opportunity at another school while waiting. Seats do open up throughout the year and we will reach out the moment one becomes available for your child's grade.
Important Notes We do not share waitlist position numbers. Please do not wait to secure alternative arrangements.
Questions? Our admissions team is happy to help. Contact us here.
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Enrollment Opens
December 1
Enrollment Closes
February 28th at 11:59pm
Lottery Runs
First week of March
What to Expect from the Admissions Process
A clear, structured process designed to be fair, transparent, and easy to follow.
We’re glad you’re considering Cornerstone Classical Academy for your family. Our admissions process is simple, transparent, and designed to guide you with clarity from start to finish.
Cornerstone is a tuition-free classical charter school open to students throughout Duval County and surrounding areas. We welcome students of all backgrounds, with no testing or barriers to apply. Admission is determined through a fair lottery process in accordance with Florida law.
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A-Rated, High-Performing School
Rated by the Florida Department of Education
Our Enrollment Process
Seats become available throughout the school year, so admission is not limited to fall. If you are on the waitlist, we will reach out as seats open up. Applications received after February 28 are placed at the bottom of the waitlist for that specific grade within their applicable priority group. Please note that the waitlist does not carry over and a new application is required every year you would like to be considered.
*Current CCA students do not need to apply every year.
STEP 1
Submit Your Application
Create an account in School Mint, our online application portal, and complete a student application for each child you'd like to enroll. Select the correct school year and grade level carefully. Errors in entry are the sole responsibility of the guardian completing the application and could void your submission. Upload as many required documents as possible, but don't let missing documents stop you from applying. You can return to your portal at any time to add them.
Note: Each child requires a separate application. If you have multiple children applying, list all siblings on each application.
STEP 2
The Lottery Runs in March
Florida law requires a random lottery when applications exceed available seats. After the enrollment window closes on February 28, the lottery runs by grade level in the first week of March. You'll receive one of three statuses in your School Mint portal:
Processing • Waitlist • Offer
You'll be notified by email and phone, but you can check your status in the portal at any time.
Note: A "Processing" status means your application is under admin review before entering the lottery pool.
STEP 3
Accept Your Seat Within 48 Hours
If you receive an offer, welcome to CCA! You must accept your seat and upload all required documents within 48 hours of results being published. No exceptions. Missing this window forfeits your seat automatically. Once you accept, you'll begin receiving The Cornerstone Chronicles, our weekly newsletter published every Friday.
Tip: If you don't see the newsletter after accepting, check your spam folder for "Chronicles."
How the Lottery Works
CCA uses a random lottery system as required by Florida law whenever the number of applicants exceeds available seats. Here is everything you need to know about how the process works and how priority is determined.
Every application submitted during the Open Enrollment window is entered into the lottery by grade level. The lottery runs the first week of March. Results are posted in your School Mint portal and you will be notified by email and phone.
Applying with siblings
If one sibling enrolls at CCA, the waitlisted sibling will be moved up the waitlist within their applicable priority group. If you are offered a seat for only one sibling, you must be willing to have one child at CCA and the other at a different school until a seat becomes available.
Priority Groups
Per Florida law and CCA's charter, preference is given to the following groups in order:
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Children of Founding Board Members
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Children of full-time CCA staff
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Siblings of currently enrolled students
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Duval County residents
No other preferences can be given. If you believe your child qualifies for a priority group, make sure it is accurately reflected on your application.
Multiple Offers
If your child is offered a seat from more than one school, you must select one and decline the other. All required paperwork must be submitted to CCA by the stated deadline.
