PGCPS Lottery for Specialty Programs

Introduction

STUDENTS OFFERED MORE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
THROUGH SPECIALTY PROGRAMS

The 2021-2022 Charter Schools & Specialty Programs Lottery (click here) will be available from
Monday, November 2, 2020 through Friday, January 29, 2021.

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) offers alternative means within the existing public school system to provide innovative learning opportunities and creative approaches to fulfill educational objectives for students. Specialty programs provide a range of learning or unique subjects, activities and/or learning opportunities as an enhancement of choice for our community.

Through the PGCPS lottery process, parents and students have an opportunity to secure an available seat in one of the Specialty Programs established in selected schools throughout the county. Space limitations require that admission to the Program/School is governed by a random placement lottery. Applications are available to all students who are residents of Prince George’s County. Specialty Programs have specific boundaries and all school assignments through lottery are based upon a student’s home address (not the before and after school care provider).

Program choices and entrance criteria listed below by program:

Program Name	Grade(s)	Entrance Criteria
Creative and Performing Arts	K-5	Age 5 by September 1 (Kindergarten) or Age 6 by September 1 (1st grade)
French Immersion	K only	Age 5 by September 1
Montessori	PreK	Age 3 or 4 by September 1
Montessori	K-8	Must be currently enrolled in a full-day Montessori-affiliated school Age 5 by September 1 (Kindergarten) or Age 6 by September 1 (1st grade)
Spanish Immersion/Dual Language	K only	Age 5 by September 1
Talented and Gifted	2-8	Must be TAG identified. The application window for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) lottery will open to students identified as TAG after testing is completed in Spring 2021.
Public Charter Schools	K- 12	Applicants entering Kindergarten must be age 5 by September 1. Applicants entering First Grade must be age six by September 1 and completed Kindergarten. (NO exceptions)

**Early entrance options do not apply to Specialty Programs.

2020-2021 Charter School Open House Dates and Times

Charter Schools (K-12) applicants entering Kindergarten must be age 5 by September 1. Applicants entering First Grade must be age six by September 1 and completed Kindergarten. (NO exceptions)