Enrollment Policies

Curious about how the Enrollment Process works? Navigate through the tabs below to learn more about how the enrollment and registration process works for charter schools, and specifically how it works here at Benjamin Franklin Charter School. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us directly and we'll be happy to answer any questions or provide you with additional information.

Benjamin Franklin Charter School complies with all components of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Policies and procedures have been developed and are implemented throughout our program of instruction.

Enrollment Policies & Procedures

How does BFCS determine enrollment eligibility for students?

Benjamin Franklin Charter School is a tuition-free, “A” rated public charter school open to all students with no specific geographic boundaries. We operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, meaning that when a grade level is at capacity, we will place students on a waitlist and as seats open up we will work our way down the list.

In accordance with A.R.S. §15-184, Benjamin Franklin Charter School accepts all students who submit a timely application unless the number of applications exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or building. Enrollment preference is given to the following students:

Students returning in the second or subsequent year of enrollment, including siblings of students already enrolled at BFCS
Children of BFCS employees
Children of BFCS board members
Transfer students from other BFCS schools
Siblings of pupils already accepted into BFCS
Students qualifying for the McKinney-Vento program

BFCS does not limit admission based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, income level, disability, English proficiency, or athletic ability.

A prospective student expelled or awaiting expulsion from their previous school will not be admitted.

What are the enrollment guidelines and policies for kindergarten students?

According to the Arizona Education Code 15-821 (C), “a child is eligible for admission to kindergarten if the child is five years of age. A child is deemed five years of age if the child reached the age of five before September 1 of the current school year… The governing board may admit children who have not reached the required age as prescribed by this subsection if it is determined to be in the best interest of the children. Such children must reach the required age of five for kindergarten…by January 1 of the current school year.”

Students who have a birthday after August 31 and on or before December 31 must pass an aptitude proficiency test in order to be enrolled in the kindergarten program.
If there is a waitlist, students with a birthday before September 1 will be given priority over students with a birthday after September 1.

Students that turn five after December 31 of the first year of enrollment shall not be admitted to BFCS.

What are the enrollment guidelines and policies for 1st grade students?

According to the Arizona Education Code 15-821 (C), “a child is eligible for first grade if the child is six years of age. A child is deemed six years of age if the child reaches the age of six before September 1 of the current school year. The governing board may admit children who have not reached the required age as prescribed by this subsection if it is determined to be in the best interest of the children. For children entering the first grade, such determination shall be based upon one or more consultations with the parent, parents, guardians, the children, the teacher, and the school principal. Such children must reach the required age… of six for first grade by January 1 of the current school year.”

Benjamin Franklin enrolls students for first grade who meet the state eligibility requirement of turning six years of age on or before December 31 of their first-grade year. Students who do not meet this eligibility requirement will not be permitted to enroll in first grade.

What are the school's policies in regards to The Individuals With Disabilities Act?

What is FERPA, and what does it mean for me and my child?

FERPA is the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. FERPA affords Parent and students over 18 years of age the following rights with respect to a student’s education records:

The right to inspect and review the student’s education records.
The right to request amendment of the student’s education records.
The right to consent to the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records.

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by BFCS to comply with requirements of FERPA. Notification of Rights under FERPA, with a summarized explanation of these rights, is posted at the district office; Parents may request a copy from the office staff.

McKinney-Vento Information: What if my child is homeless?

To learn more about the McKinney-Vento Act, click here.

Subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) is included in the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. The reauthorization requires that children and youths experiencing homelessness are immediately enrolled in school and have educational opportunities equal to those of their non-homeless peers. If you believe your student is eligible for McKinney-Vento services, please contact:

McKinney Vento Homeless Liaison
Karen Crang
Student Support Services Coordinator
kcrang@bfcsaz.com
480-264-3710

If my child is transferring from a different school, do I need to provide Withdrawal Confirmation?

What are the policies in regards to immunizations?

Pursuant to Arizona law, “[a] pupil shall not be allowed to attend school without submitting documentary proof [of immunization] . . . unless the pupil is exempted from immunization pursuant to section 15-873.” Accordingly, charter schools may request, but may not require, proof of immunization or an exemption as a condition for enrollment. Such documentation is required prior to a student’s attendance but not for enrollment. A school cannot deny enrollment due to the parent/guardian submitting an exemption form in place of immunization records.

Will I need to provide my child's social security number for enrollment?

Are there fees or volunteer requirements associated with enrollment?

Can I tour the school prior to enrollment?

Do I need to provide proof of AZ residency?

A.R.S. § 15-802(B) requires school districts and charter schools to obtain and maintain verifiable documentation of Arizona residency upon enrollment in an Arizona public school. This document is designed to assist school districts and charter schools in meeting the legal requirements of the statute.

The documentation required by A.R.S. § 15-802 must be provided at initial enrollment of a student in a school district or charter school in this state and reaffirmed, although not necessarily recollected, during the district or charter’s annual registration process. This process will vary by the school, school district, or charter school (i.e. an annual form asking parents to confirm address).

Every school district or charter school is required, 4 within 30 days of enrollment, to obtain a certified copy of a pupil’s birth certificate or other reliable proof of the pupil’s identity and age, 5 or a letter from the authorized representative of an agency having custody of the pupil pursuant to title 8, chapter 2 certifying that the pupil has been placed in the custody of the agency as prescribed by law. A school district or charter school may seek photo identification from the person enrolling a student to ensure that the adult is entitled to enroll the student in school, as long such a requirement does NOT unlawfully bar a student from enrolling in school.

In case of an ADE Audit, the school, school district or charter school will be asked what process is used and what documentation is obtained via this process. If the student’s residence has not changed, an affirmation (via a checkbox) that the previously provided proof of residency remains accurate should be sufficient. The documentation supporting Arizona residency should be maintained according to the school’s records retention schedule.

For members of the armed services, a school may enroll a student if the parent provides a hard-copy or electronic document of their transfer or pending transfer to a military installation within the state. The parent must provide official documentation of residency within ten days after the arrival date which may include a temporary on-base billeting facility as their address. PROOF OF RESIDENCY IS NOT REQUIRED FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS. 7 42 U.S.C.§ 11 432(g)(3)(C)(i).

In general, students will fall into one of two groups: (1) those whose parent or legal guardian is able to provide documentation bearing his or her name and address; and (2) those whose parent or legal guardian cannot document his or her own residence because of extenuating circumstances including, but not limited to, that the family’s household is multi-generational. Different documentation is required for each circumstance.

Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) that maintains his or her own residence: The parent or legal guardian must complete and sign a form indicating his or her name, the name of the school district, school site, or charter school in which the student is being enrolled, and provide one of the following documents, which bear the parent or legal guardian’s full name and residential address or physical description of the property where the student resides (no P.O. Boxes):
- Valid Arizona driver’s license, Arizona identification card
- Valid Arizona motor vehicle registration
- Valid Arizona Address Confidentiality Program authorization card
- Property deed/Mortgage documents
- Property tax bill
- Rental agreement or lease (including Section 8 agreement or off-base military housing)
- Utility bill (water, electric, gas, cable, phone)
- Bank or credit card statement
- W-2 wage statement
- Payroll stub
- Certificate of tribal enrollment (506 Form) or other identification issued by a recognized Indian tribe located in Arizona
- Other documentation from a state, tribal, or federal agency (Social Security Administration, Veterans’ Administration, Arizona Department of Economic Security, etc.)
- Temporary on-base billeting facility (for military families)
Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) that does not maintain his or her own residence: The parent or legal guardian must have an affidavit of shared residency form completed indicating his or her name, the name of the school district, school site, or charter school in which the student is being enrolled, and submit a signed, notarized affidavit for the person who maintains the residence where the student lives attesting to the fact that the student resides at that address, along with a document from the bulleted list bearing the name and address of the person who maintains the residence.

What if I cannot provide proof of AZ residency?

What are the Title IX policies at BFCS?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Benjamin Franklin Charter School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission to its programs, services, or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations.

The lack of English language skills shall not be a barrier to admission or participation in the district’s activities and programs. BFCS also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§1681 et seq.) prohibits sex discrimination in education and in employment.

Any person that believes they have been harassed or discriminated against based on their sex can file a complaint by contacting:

Diana Dana
BFCS Title IX Coordinator
ddana@bfcsaz.com
(480) 264-3710

Do I need to provide a certified copy of my child's Birth Certificate?

Per state statute A.R.S. 15-828 (attached), all new students enrolling in the district for the first time must provide, within thirty days, either:

A certified copy of the student's birth certificate or
Other reliable proof of the student's identity, age, and birthplace accompanied by an affidavit explaining the inability to produce a certified copy of the birth certificate.

If a parent is unable to provide this documentation when enrolling their student(s), school office staff should present the Affidavit of Inability to Provide Certified Copy of Birth Certificate, and inform them of the 30 day state requirement.

If after 30 days the parent has still not provided the birth certificate (or other acceptable documentation), school office staff should present the parent with the 10 Day Notice.

If after 10 days the parent has still not provided acceptable documentation, school office staff will notify the principal. The principal will notify local law enforcement as required by state statute. The student(s) will NOT be withdrawn due to missing birth certificate.

What is the ESEA Eligibility Guidelines for Arizona?

School Policies for After Enrollment

What are the school's absence reporting policies?

Arizona State law requires that parents ensure that their children between the age of six and sixteen attend school. On the fifth unverified absence or 18 total verified/unverified absences, regardless of the reason you and/or your child could be issued a citation for violation of an Arizona Revised Statute A.R.S. 15-802 or 15-803.

Pursuant to ARS §15-807; Absence from school, notification of parent or person having custody of pupil: In case of absence from school, the parent/guardian is required to notify the school attendance personnel in advance or at the time of the absence.

At the time of registration, the parent/guardian is required to furnish the school with at least one: telephone number, where the parent/guardian may be contacted during the school day (see Student Data Form). If there is a change in telephone numbers during the school year, the parent/guardian is to promptly notify the school office.

When a student is absent from school and the parent/guardian has not notified the school, school attendance personnel will make a reasonable effort to notify the parent/guardian within two (2) hours of the first class in which the student is absent.

Will I have opportunities to provide feedback to the school?

What is needed if I choose to withdraw my child from BFCS?

An Official Notice of Pupil Withdrawal form must be completed for students who withdraw. To confirm that a student transferred out, a school or LEA must have “official written documentation” that a student has transferred to another school or to an educational program that culminates in the award of a regular high school diploma (34 C.F.R. §200.19(b)(1)(ii)(B)(1)). Examples of official written documentation include: a request for student records from a receiving public or private high school or an educational program (that culminates in a regular high school diploma); or a written record of a response from an official in the receiving school or program acknowledging the student’s enrollment. A conversation with a parent or neighbor of a student, for instance, would not be considered official written documentation of a transfer.

A school or LEA must have written confirmation that a student has emigrated to another country (34 C.F.R. §200.19(b)(1)(ii)(B)) but need not obtain official written documentation. For example, if a parent informs a school administrator that the family is leaving the country, the school administrator may document this conversation in writing and include it in the student’s file.

Can I come visit my child's campus?

We encourage parents to come to school frequently to visit their child’s classroom and to take an active part in the education of their child. For reasons of safety and to help us keep track of campus visitors, all parents are required to report to the office and sign in before going to a child’s class or visiting the campus.

We also ask parents to avoid conferences with the teachers during such visits so the teacher can conduct class as usual.

Parents are asked to leave small children at home since young children often distract both students and the parent. (This also applies during designated classroom parties.)

Younger brothers and sisters or non-Franklin friends are not permitted to attend classes.

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Enrollment Policies