ADMISSIONS
How to apply
As a public charter school, students from across Prince George’s County can apply. Prospective students must be residents of Prince George’s County and must apply between November and January.
If more students apply than there are open seats, the school system conducts a lottery to choose who will attend. The system is a random selection process, with the aim to give all applicants an equal chance of admission. Parents must opt their children into the selection process.
Apply at: lottery.pgcps.org.
One of the great things about CPA is that it offers students a rigorous education and a small-school experience, but still has the strengths of a neighborhood school since more than 1/3 of the seats are designated for local students. Thirty-five percent of the open spaces at CPA are reserved for students living in the local area around UMD –College Park, Riverdale Park, Adelphi, University Park, and Berwyn Heights. These students apply through the same application process but are given preference. There are six elementary schools in the CPA catchment area:
- Riverdale Elementary
- University Park Elementary
- Hollywood Elementary
- Paint Branch Elementary
- Berwyn Heights Elementary
- Cherokee Lane Elementary
CPA also offers sibling preference for applicants who have one or more siblings who are already admitted.
