Enrollment Information
HCSS is a tuition-free public charter school. Find lottery dates, eligibility, required documents, and how to apply for our middle school and high school campuses.
How to apply?
Families can apply to Hampden Charter School of Science by completing our online lottery application. HCSS is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades 6–12.
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Application
Applications for the upcoming academic year open in mid-October each year. Deadline is the first Sunday of the March. An admission lottery is held if we receive more applications than the seats available.
Lottery
HCSS conducts one principal application deadline and enrollment lottery each year after January 1st and before March 15th, for the upcoming school year, publicizing the date, time, and location with reasonable notice at least one week before the lottery date. (603 CMR 1.05(3)(c )
Enrollment / Registration
Enrollment is granted to students through a random lottery. Lottery winners are notified to complete the registration process by the deadline set by the school, which is March 21, 2025, for the school year 2025-26.
Waiting List
If no seat is available, the applications are added to the end of the waiting list in the order received.
Application Process
Hampden Charter School of Science (HCSS) accepts applications from students who reside in Massachusetts, with preference given to students who reside within the Agawam, Chicopee, Holyoke, Ludlow, Springfield, Westfield, and West Springfield districts of Massachusetts. HCSS serves students in grades six through twelve and accepts applications for students in all available in grades six through ten each year. G.L., c. 71, §89 (m).
Hampden Charter School of Science, (HCSS) does not discriminate against students on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed or religion, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in the English language or in a foreign language, or prior academic achievement when recruiting or admitting students. HCSS does not set admissions criteria that are intended to discriminate or that have the effect of discrimination based upon any of these characteristics. The process of enrollment will be conducted according to the laws and the regulations of Massachusetts (M.G.L. c. 71, § 89; 603 CMR 1.05).
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Application Forms