Important Dates
2025
2025
Nov
1
12:00am
Applications Open for 2026-27 School Year
2026
2026
Jan
31
11:59pm
Applications Close for 2026-27 Lottery
Feb 1-Mar 31
Feb & Mar
Lottery Held & Initial Offers Sent
Applications Still Accepted for Waitlist
Offers Sent As Spots Become Available
Aug
14
9:00 am-noon
New Student Orientation
Aug
17
8:00am
First Day
Lottery Info & Common Questions
What is lottery based admission?
We wish we could enroll every student who applies to Maeser! Because we receive more applicants than we can enroll, we send offers based on a lottery system. There are some lottery priorities (see “What Are Lottery Priorities”). All other applicants are randomized.
- Incoming 11th and 12th graders may be required to complete makeup work to meet Maeser’s graduation requirements.
- The number of offers per grade varies each year, depending on current enrollment numbers. Typically, about 50-75% of 7th grade applicants receive an offer; about 10-15% 8th grade applicants receive an offer, and most 9th-12th grade applicants receive an offer.
Because Maeser Preparatory Academy frequently receives more applications than our current capacity allows, we use a randomized lottery system to ensure a fair and transparent enrollment process.
How the Process Works
Priorities: Offers are first extended to applicants who qualify for specific lottery priorities (such as siblings of current students). Please see “What Are Lottery Priorities?” for more details.
Randomization: All other applicants are entered into a randomized digital lottery to determine the order of enrollment offers.
Availability: The number of available seats in each grade varies annually based on the re-enrollment of our current students.
Historical Enrollment Trends While availability fluctuates, here is a general guide to typical offer rates:
- 7th Grade: Approximately 50–75% of applicants receive an offer.
- 8th Grade: Approximately 10–15% of applicants receive an offer.
- 9th–12th Grade: Most applicants typically receive an offer.
Note for Upperclassmen: To ensure a smooth path toward graduation, incoming 11th and 12th-grade students may be required to complete specific “makeup work” to align with Maeser’s rigorous graduation requirements.
What are lottery priorities?
Our charter states that students in certain categories receive priority in our lottery. The following applicants receive priority status:
Children of current Maeser employees
Siblings of current Maeser students
Applicants who have a sibling also applying for the same school year who receives an offer and enrolls
What is the lottery timeline?
Applications open on November 1 for the following school year.
Applications submitted by 11:59 PM on January 31 will be entered in our lottery.
Our lottery is held in February and initial offers offers are sent in February or March.
- Applications will continue to be accepted after the January 31 deadline for our waitlist.
What if my child is not selected in the lottery?
- Students who are not selected during the lottery are automatically placed on the waitlist in the order their application was received. Families will be contacted by email if a seat becomes available.
- The waitlist does not carry over from year to year, so a new application must be submitted each enrollment cycle.
Who can enroll at Maeser?
Maeser is a public charter school open to all Utah students. Our charter requires that admission be determined through a lottery system.
What grades does Maeser serve?
- Maeser serves grades 7–12. The largest number of openings typically occur in 7th grade, when a new class is formed. Openings in other grades vary from year to year, depending on current enrollment.
- Our charter allows us to enroll a total of 790 students per school year, including returning students. We typically have approximately 150 students in each of 7th & 8th grade, 130-150 students in each of 9th & 10th grade, and 100 students in each of 11th & 12th grade.
Maeser Preparatory Academy is a 7th–12th grade public charter school. Our total enrollment is capped at 790 students per year across all grades.
Enrollment Availability
- 7th Grade: This is our primary entry point. Because we form an entirely new class each year, 7th grade offers the highest number of openings.
- 8th–12th Grades: Openings in these grades vary annually and are based on the re-enrollment of our current students.
Typical Class Sizes To help families understand our community structure, our approximate grade-level distributions are:
| Grade Level | Approximate Enrollment |
|---|---|
| 7th & 8th Grade | ~150 students per grade |
| 9th & 10th Grade | 130–150 students per grade |
| 11th & 12th Grade | ~100 students per grade |
Is tuition required at Maeser?
No. As a public charter school, Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy is tuition-free.
Like all public schools, we may charge nominal fees for specific items and programs to enhance the student experience. These typically include:
Annual Student Fees: Covers technology, instructional materials, and student planners.
Winterim: A specialized intensive course held each January.
Extracurriculars: Participation in sports, fine arts or extra-curriculars.
For a detailed breakdown of costs, please view our current [Fee Schedule & Spend Plan].
Financial Assistance: Fee waivers are available for families who qualify. Please contact our front office for more information.
What about returning students?
- Current students wishing to re-enroll for the upcoming school year do not apply through the lottery. Instead, they go through a re-enrollment process managed by the registrar.