Ready to give your teen a brighter future? Applications for the 2027-28 school year lottery at United Charter High Schools (UCHS) opened October 1, 2026. Applying is easier than you might think, but there are a few key vocabulary words to learn.
Applying and Enrolling Are Two Different Steps in the Process
A lot of families mix these up, so let’s make it simple.
- Applying means entering the lottery. This is how you save your child’s spot in the drawing. It does not cost anything and does not guarantee a seat.
- Enrolling is the paperwork you complete only if your child’s name is selected in the lottery or when you are offered an official seat off the waitlist. This is when your child officially registers to attend a United Charter High School.
In short: you apply first. You enroll only after you’re selected. You cannot enroll until you’ve applied and been offered a seat.
How to Apply to the Lottery in 2 Easy Steps
Applying takes just a few minutes online. Here’s how:
- Visit unitedcharter.org and click “Apply.” This takes you to our online application through SchoolMint.
- Log in or create a SchoolMint account, then complete your application. Once you submit, we will send you a text or email confirming your application was received.
Check your status anytime. Just log back into your SchoolMint account for updates. That’s it. Once you apply, there’s nothing else you need to do until the lottery has been conducted on April 5, 2027.
What Happens After You Apply
Here’s the easy part: you wait. No forms to chase, no deadlines to track.
- The application window closes at 11:59 PM on April 1, 2027.
- The lottery will be held live on April 5, 2027 at 11:00 AM.
- After the drawing, we’ll reach out to let you know your child’s status. Selected families will then move on to the enrollment step.
If your child isn’t selected right away, they’ll be placed on a waitlist and considered on a rolling basis as seats open up.
Key Dates to Remember
- October 1, 2026: Application window opens
- April 1, 2027 (11:59 PM): Application deadline
- April 5, 2027 (11:00 AM): Live lottery drawing
- After the lottery: We contact you with results
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying to the lottery the same as enrolling my child?
No. Applying enters your child in the lottery. Enrollment is a separate step that happens later, and only if your child’s name is selected in the drawing or they come off the waitlist.
What do I need to do after I apply?
Once you submit your application and get your SchoolMint confirmation, you’re all set until after the lottery in April.
Does applying cost anything or guarantee a seat?
No. UCHS is tuition-free, and applying is free. The application process enters your child in the lottery but does not guarantee a seat. The actual lottery will offer your child a seat or place them on a waitlist.
What if my child isn’t selected?
Your child will be added to our waitlist and offered a seat as they become available.
About United Charter High Schools
United Charter High Schools (UCHS) is a network of seven award-winning and tuition-free charter schools serving 9th-12th grade students and families across the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. We are united in our mission to close the opportunity gap by ensuring equal access to rigorous STEAM and Humanities academics and unwavering support for post-secondary readiness. Get to know us at unitedcharter.org and follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Applications for the 2027-28 school year are open now.
