Apply to VNS
Our project-based environment is very different from the traditional school setting; taking time to understand these differences will help your family make an educated decision about whether to apply to VNS.
1. Get an overview.
Review our website and watch videos to get a basic understanding of our school, project-based learning, and the benefits of a VNS education.
2. Attend a Public Informational Meeting.
Advisors, with the help of parents and students, will explain the academic process and school culture as well as answer questions. Attendance at one of these meetings is required to activate a student’s application in the VNS lottery.
For interest in the 2025-2026 school year we offer the following public information meetings from 7-8:00 p.m:
- Monday, December 2
- Thursday, January 23
- Wednesday, February 5
- Tuesday, February 11
3. Schedule a tour of VNS.
See our school in action and learn more about what project-based learning offers from our Student Ambassadors and an Advisor. Please call to make an appointment: (920) 852-5605.
4. Schedule a ½-day shadow experience.
Experience what it is really like to be a Valley New School student. Please call to register: (920) 852-5605. Individual shadow days are always welcome but we offer two specific shadow days with specially planned activities. Tuesday January 21, or Monday February 3, 2025. Please call to register: (920) 852-5605.
5. Discuss: Will VNS be the optimal learning environment for your child?
What characteristics/work habits/interests does your child possess that would make him/her successful at VNS? What aspects of VNS might be challenging/frustrating? It is imperative that both students and parents realize that VNS provides a rigorous educational program within a flexible structure. Success within this model relies strongly on the student’s motivation and the degree of parental involvement.
6. Submit the online application by the third Friday in February.
Online application for all Appleton Area Charter Schools begins December 2. Openings and waiting list spots will be filled through lottery drawing during the first week of March. Families are notified of status by the second Friday in March.
Siblings of current students and children of VNS staff/Governance Board members are afforded enrollment preference. Applications submitted after the deadline are added to the waiting list in the order that they are received.
7. For families who reside outside of Appleton only: Submit Open Enrollment Application.
Our charter school application window will open on December 2, 2024 for the 2025-2026 school year. Our application is a lottery process so there is no need to rush; take your time learning about all of our offerings.
2025-26 School Year Online Charter Application
February 21, 2025 is the cutoff to be placed in the lottery. Applications after that date will be put on the waiting list if no spots are available in the order they are received.
All families will be notified by March 7, 2025 if a seat has been reserved for their student, or if their name has been added to a waiting list.
If you are interested in applying to a charter school for the 2024-25 school year, please reach out to the charter directly to see if there are current openings.
If your student is already enrolled in a charter school another application does not need to be completed to continue attending that charter school. If your student wants to attend a different charter school then an application needs to be completed. Siblings of a student currently attending a charter school also need to complete an application.
Printable Applications
Applications must be completed and submitted within the application window.
- 25-26 Charter School Application
- 25-26 Solicitud de Escuela por Contrato
- 25-26 Daim ntawv cuv npe thov txais kawm ntawv rau tsev kawm ntawv Charter
- 24-25 Année scolaire Demande d'école à charte
- 25-26 Umwaka w'ishuri Gusaba Ishuri
Copies of printed applications are also available at each charter school, our District Welcome Center, and the District Leadership Center.
Charter School Transportation
Transportation for charter school students is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Open Enrollment
If a student resides in the Appleton Area School District and completes the charter school application process, they do not need to complete the district’s School of Choice Open Enrollment application.
The Open Enrollment (OE) process is separate from the charter school student application process.
Students living outside the Appleton Area School District must apply for Open Enrollment through the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) between February 3, 2025 - April 30, 2025, in addition to completing the charter school application process.
Click here for more information on open enrolling to the Appleton Area School District.
Many students receive notification of approval to enroll in a charter school. However, different factors are taken into account that may prohibit acceptance into the AASD. Your child’s enrollment, therefore, will not be official until accepted by the District for open enrollment. Notification of the District’s decision is sent to families the first week of June. Your child’s spot at the charter school will be held until that time if you accept the position in the charter school now.