Enrollment

Bullis Charter School (BCS) accepts applications for any student residing in California and there is no application fee. BCS offers equal access to applicants regardless of their actual or perceived disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of a hate crime or association with an individual who has any of the aforementioned characteristics. Additionally, BCS offers a comprehensive education program that is committed to meeting the needs of all students regardless of ability level or learning needs including but not limited to: Special Education, Gifted and Talented, and English Language Learners.

California Education Code and our charter with the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) govern the BCS enrollment procedures. SCCOE-authorized enrollment preferences are applied for all applicants based on the following hierarchy within each grade level:

1) Siblings of current BCS students who reside within the boundaries of the Los Altos School District.

2) Children who qualify for free or reduced priced meals and reside within the boundaries of the Los Altos School District, limited to 10% of the total openings at each grade level.

3) Children of BCS staff members who reside within the boundaries of the Los Altos School District.

4) Children who reside within the boundaries of the Los Altos School District.

5) Siblings of current BCS students who reside outside of the boundaries of the Los Altos School District.

6) Children of BCS staff members who reside outside of the boundaries of the Los Altos School District.

7) Children who qualify for free or reduced priced meals who reside outside the boundaries of the Los Altos School District but within California.

8) All other applicants who reside within California.

If there are more applications than spots for a specific grade level, then enrollment is determined by a public random drawing, also known as the lottery.

If more students apply than seats available, we hold a public random drawing, known as the enrollment lottery, to select students for offers of enrollment. The enrollment lottery generally takes place in late February prior to the start of the upcoming school year in August. All applications submitted during the Open Enrollment period for that school year will be included in the enrollment lottery. All families whose child is entered in the lottery receive communication immediately following the lottery informing them of their child(ren)’s enrollment or waitlist status. Any applications received after the close of the Open Enrollment period will be placed on the resulting waiting list for that grade level after those included in the lottery.

No. BCS is a free public school, open to all students in the state of California. Every child who attends BCS receives an innovative, rigorous, and well-rounded education at no cost to their family.

The Bullis-Purissima Elementary School Foundation (aka “BCS Foundation”), a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization independent from BCS, solicits voluntary donations from BCS families to provide critical financial support to BCS’s programs. No donation is required or expected for admission to BCS, nor for a student’s continued enrollment or participation.

To be eligible for Kindergarten, your child’s 5th birthday must be no later than September 1st.

For the 2024-25 school year, your child must turn 5 between September 2, 2024 and June 2, 2025 to be eligible for Transitional Kindergarten. For the 2023-24 school year, your child must turn 5 between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024 to be eligible for Transitional Kindergarten.

Per California law, proof of immunizations are required to be submitted for your child prior to them attending school at BCS (or any other public school). Additionally, a physical exam must be done no earlier than 18 months before entering 1st grade (for example, if you have an incoming kindergarten student, you would schedule your exam for mid-February or later). A complete list of health requirements is included in the registration forms sent after an offer of enrollment has been accepted.

Yes. All information submitted through the enrollment process will be kept confidential to the fullest extent allowed by law. We will not release your child’s name without your consent unless he/she is accepted for admission and enrolled with BCS.

Yes. Filling out and returning an acceptance packet does not commit you to a decision. If for any reason your plans change and you no longer wish to enroll your child at BCS, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer your child’s place to another interested student.

Our website contains a wealth of information about our programs including many other Frequently Asked Questions. We would be happy to answer any other questions you may have. The most efficient way to get your answers is to email enroll@bullischarterschool.com. You may also call the enrollment line at 650-947-4100 and press 1 to leave a message for our enrollment coordinator.

Please be sure to let us know what grade level you are inquiring about and the current school district you reside in so that we can give you complete information if you are not available when we return your call.