FAQs

WHO CAN ATTEND THE YORK ACADEMY?
Students across PA are invited to apply to attend the York Academy. Each grade is filled with a specific number of students, selected by lottery. Priority is given to siblings of current students and those who live in our chartering districts (Central York, York City and York Suburban). If those children do not fill all the openings, we offer placement to those who live in other districts. Additional children are placed on a waiting list. We contact parents in Lottery order during the school year if there is room for their child. 

Although families can apply anytime, we highly encourage them to apply during February and March when we are accepting applications for students to be included in the annual Lottery. Otherwise, they must be added to the end of the waiting list. 
Learn more about the admissions process.


IS THERE A TUITION FEE TO ATTEND THE YORK ACADEMY?
No there is not. Since York Academy is a public school, students do not pay tuition, just like traditional public schools.   

DO YOU PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION?
No, however most of our sending school districts do provide transportation to and from school. Find out more. 

WHAT ABOUT SPORTS?
Our sports program is small, mighty and growing. We offer girls and boys basketball for students in grades 5-12 (league play). Most recently, our 7th and 8th Grade Boys Team won the Championship! Students may participate in any sport in their home district, and many do. For example, two of our alumni received collegiate scholarships. They played golf at West York and basketball at York High. 


WHAT MAKES YORK ACADEMY DIFFERENT?
Our students receive a stellar, well-rounded education that prepares them for success in college and beyond. The challenging 
International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum gives students unique advantages that most area traditional public schools cannot provide. Our small school community is supportive and uplifting.

Students connect their learning to the world around them through enriching on and off-campus experiences and meaningful community and global service projects. They learn to think critically and creatively, without fear of failure. 

Because international mindedness is key to the IB curriculum, students begin learning Spanish in kindergarten and it becomes a required core subject from seventh grade on. S
tudents in the IB Diploma Programme (11th and 12th grade) take rigorous college level coursework in the classroom. Academic success often results in advanced standing, course credits, scholarships, and other admissions related benefits at many universities. Learn more about the York Academy.

DO YOU OFFER GIFTED OR SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES?
York Academy offers a program for students identified as gifted or talented. We provide special education programs to students with mild handicaps. Those with more severe handicaps are referred to the Lincoln Intermediate Unit so they can receive the care they need.

HOW ARE CHARTER SCHOOLS FUNDED?
When students begin attending school in PA, the cost of their education (tuition) follows them no matter what school district they attend - charter schools like the York Academy or public school districts. Charter schools are funded through tuition payments from the districts where our students live. The tuition rate is based on the cost to educate a student, calculated by the PA Department of Education. Watch this short video to learn more. 


 If you have additional questions, please contact us at (717) 801-3900 or
[email protected]