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Our charter school application window will open on December 2, 2024 for the 2025-2026 school year. Our application is a lottery process so there is no need to rush; take your time learning about all of our offerings.

2025-26 School Year Online Charter Application

February 21, 2025 is the cutoff to be placed in the lottery. Applications after that date will be put on the waiting list if no spots are available in the order they are received.

All families will be notified by March 7, 2025 if a seat has been reserved for their student, or if their name has been added to a waiting list.

If you are interested in applying to a charter school for the 2024-25 school year, please reach out to the charter directly to see if there are current openings.

If your student is already enrolled in a charter school another application does not need to be completed to continue attending that charter school. If your student wants to attend a different charter school then an application needs to be completed. Siblings of a student currently attending a charter school also need to complete an application.

Learn more about RSA

Tour RSA
We strongly recommend taking a tour of RSA! Tours are available on weekday afternoons and are conducted by the director and current RSA students. Please reach out to the RSA student services office to set up a tour.

The Arts
The Renaissance School for the Arts offers courses in dance, visual arts, television/film, music, creative writing, and theater. Honors or AP Social Studies, English Language Arts and physical education requirements are also taken through Renaissance. It is important to note that all regular education students will be expected to take all Social Studies and English Language Arts credits that are required for graduation through Renaissance.

The Academics
All RSA Social Studies and ELA classes are either Advanced Placement or Honors level classes. 
Students with an IEP or other special education accommodations may be able to take their academic classes through their morning school and, if appropriate, will have their academic classes assigned during an IEP meeting after their acceptance to RSA. 

Renaissance students may have an area of special emphasis within their studies but are also expected to take courses in the other arts disciplines to gain an integrated arts experience.

BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS BELOW, BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. A personal essay
Your personal essay can be written in whichever language you feel most comfortable. You can also choose to present your essay orally by submitting a video.

Please describe why you want to attend Renaissance and include the following:

  • Why do you want to attend Renaissance and what are your expectations?
  • Briefly describe your contributions and involvement in your current middle or high school.
  • What do you perceive to be your strengths and weaknesses in your academic classes?
  • Tell us about the art you do and the training you’ve had.
  • How does art fit into your life?

2. A personal art example
The personal art example is used to showcase a piece or pieces of art that best represent you. This may be a poem, a video of a dance that you performed by yourself or with an ensemble, a recording of a piece of music that you wrote or performed, a photo that you took, or a photograph/video of a visual arts piece. This is not an exhaustive list and many other examples of art can be submitted. The important thing is that the piece is performed or created by you and that it is the best representation of you, as an artist, that you have.

3. Art and classroom references
Your art and classroom references should be from someone that knows you well and has been a recent teacher (within the past two years). The classroom reference can be from any academic class (math, social studies, world language, or English Language Arts). The arts reference can be from a school art teacher or a school/private music/theatre/vocal coach. As with the classroom reference, they should have instructed you recently. In the form below, you will simply have to submit their email address, and RSA will send them the reference link digitally.

**CLICK TO PROVIDE ART AND CLASSROOM REFERENCES**

For questions: richardsjohn@aasd.k12.wi.us

Printable Applications
Applications must be completed and submitted within the application window.

Copies of printed applications are also available at each charter school, our District Welcome Center, and the District Leadership Center.

Charter School Transportation
Transportation for charter school students is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

Open Enrollment
If a student resides in the Appleton Area School District and completes the charter school application process, they do not need to complete the district’s School of Choice Open Enrollment application.

The Open Enrollment (OE) process is separate from the charter school student application process.

Students living outside the Appleton Area School District must apply for Open Enrollment through the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) between February 3, 2025 - April 30, 2025, in addition to completing the charter school application process.

Click here for more information on open enrolling to the Appleton Area School District.

Many students receive notification of approval to enroll in a charter school. However, different factors are taken into account that may prohibit acceptance into the AASD. Your child’s enrollment, therefore, will not be official until accepted by the District for open enrollment. Notification of the District’s decision is sent to families the first week of June. Your child’s spot at the charter school will be held until that time if you accept the position in the charter school now.