About York Academy
York Academy is a diverse, tuition free (K-12) public charter school that provides students with a challenging, well-rounded, stellar education. Our students learn from highly qualified teachers and staff who empower them to be active, compassionate, lifelong learners through the International Baccalaureate curriculum.
We also offer innovative design and engineering opportunities, along with progressive performing and visual arts programming. The goal is to help students thrive, and instill in them the desire and skills to succeed in college and beyond.
The York Academy Lower School was named one of the top five elementary schools in Pennsylvania by U.S. News & World Report last fall. In addition, 91% of the students in our first graduating class qualified for the National Merit Scholarship Program, and one of them was a finalist, which is an amazing accomplishment!
Background & Lottery Information
In 2011, the Academy was established as a nonprofit public school, chartered by Central York, York City and York Suburban School Districts. Students from all school districts are welcome to apply. Currently, students who reside in 26 zip codes and 14 school districts attend York Academy.
In accordance with our school charter, each grade is filled with a specific number of students and selected by lottery. Families are highly encouraged to apply online each February/March so their children may be included in the annual lottery. Applicants who are not selected in the lottery are placed on a waiting list. If all seats are not filled by students from the three chartering districts, open seats are made available to applicants from other districts throughout Pennsylvania.
The lottery for the 2022-23 school year was held virtually on Monday, April 4 on our YouTube Channel. At this time, there is a waiting list for all grades. If you are interested in joining the York Academy family, we encourage you to complete the online application so your child can be added to the waiting list. Openings do become available throughout the school year, and we contact families on the waiting list by email when that happens. If you have any questions, please call (717) 801-3900 or email us at [email protected]. Thank you!