Applications and Enrollment

2025-2026 School Year

Journey School is a tuition-free and donation-dependent public charter school in Orange County, California.  Journey’s program uniquely blends academics, arts, and ethics in a wholesome environment.  We are very pleased you are interested in applying for admissions at Journey School, the first charter school in the high performing Capistrano Unified School District.

As a school of choice with unique offerings and high expectations, it is important that you are well informed prior to applying. Please take these action steps before you submit a Lottery Application:

Make an Informed Decision
  1. Spend time carefully reading through the website, links, and Frequently Asked Questions about the lottery.
  2. Follow us on Instagram at JourneySchoolOC to learn about daily school happenings and special events.
  3. Read Section 2 of our School Charter document to better understand our educational program.
  4. Watch videos and read research on public Waldorf education
  5. Explore innovative programs in Eco-Literacy, Digital Literacy, and Social Literacy
  6. Read the 5 Points of Parent Participation (PDF)
Submit an Application
  1. Journey offers a Seatbased program (5 days/wk), as well as Hybrid (2-3 days/wk) and Homebased (home-only) offerings within our Independent Study program. As part of the application process, you are required to attend a mandatory Zoom “Virtual” Tour or Information Session for the program to which you are applying.  The mandatory virtual tours and information sessions will be offered at various times throughout the year.  If a child is offered a seat, families will have an opportunity to visit campus during the registration period. 
  2. Be prepared to upload required documents for the application that include birth certificate (or other proof of birth date), qualifying proof of address, and immunization documents. (Please note that Journey School does not offer conditional enrollment for students who are not up-to-date with the required vaccines).
  3. Deadlines: Submit your lottery application by February 20, 2025 for the Seatbased Lottery and by March 12, 2025 for the Independent Study Lotteries.
  4. Lottery Dates: The Seatbased Lottery will be held on March 5 at 3pm. The Independent Study Lotteries will be held on March 26 at 3pm.
  5. Sign up for mandatory Zooms: Seatbased Virtual Tour: click here.  Independent Study Information Session: click here.
  6. APPLY HERE:  http://journey.schoolmint.net/signin/

We thank you for your inquiry into Journey School. We’re excited for your interest. The application process is a wonderful opportunity for your family to reflect upon your educational values and aspirations. It also marks the beginning of our partnership with all parents.

Charter School Notice
Ed Code section 47605(e)(4)
California Education Code Requirements

California Education Code (EC) Section 47605(e)(4) states the following:

  • A charter school shall not discourage a pupil from enrolling or seeking to enroll in a charter school for any reason, including, but not limited to, academic performance of the pupil or because the pupil exhibits any of the following characteristics:
    • Academically low-achieving
    • Economically disadvantaged (determined by eligibility for any free or reduced price meal program)
    • English learner
    • Ethnicity
    • Foster youth
    • Homeless
    • Nationality
    • Neglected or delinquent
    • Race
    • Sexual orientation
    • Pupils with disabilities
  • A charter school shall not request a pupil’s records or require the parent, guardian, or pupil to submit the pupil’s records to the charter school before enrollment.
  • A charter school shall not encourage a pupil currently attending the charter school to disenroll from the charter school or transfer to another school for any reason (except for suspension or expulsion).

Complaint Procedures
In order to submit a complaint, complete the Charter School Complaint Form and submit the form to the charter school authorizer, electronically or in hard copy, to the following location:

Capistrano Unified School District
33122 Valle Rd, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
hacrowley@capousd.org