Q: When does open enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year begin and end?
A: Open enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year begins on January 10, 2025, and ends on February 21, 2025, at 4:00 pm sharp.
Q: When will applications for the 2025-2026 school year be available?
A: Applications will be available starting January 10, 2025. Applications submitted before this date will not be included in the lottery.
Q: Can I take a tour of the campus?
A: Prospective family tours will be held monthly in November and December 2024, and weekly in January and February 2025. You can sign up for a tour date on the School Tours page on the website.
Q: Do you have a TK Program for the 2025-26 school year?
A: We have just confirmed we will be opening a TK class next year. There are 20 spots available for the 2025-26 school year. Lottery applications should be submitted the same as K-5 and we will add an additional grade level to the lottery process. All requirements and preferences will be the same.
Q: Are there any fees or tuition costs to enroll?
A: No, MATES is a public school and free to all families.
Q: What happens if there are more applicants than available spaces?
A: If the number of applicants exceeds the capacity for a grade level, MATES will hold a public random drawing, or lottery, to determine enrollment.
Q: When is the lottery?
A: The lottery is scheduled for 6:00 pm on March 27, 2025. The public is welcome to attend in person, but your presence is not required. The lottery will also be available to be viewed from home on Zoom.
Q: How many openings will you have in the lottery?
A: The only known openings will be 66 in kindergarten and 20 for TK. For all other grades, classes are full unless a current MATES family informs us they are not able to return the next year. We will draw numbers randomly during the lottery for positions on the 2025-2026 waitlist. Should an opening become available, we will contact families in order of the waitlist number. Each family is given 24 hours to accept enrollment before we move to the next family on the waitlist.
Q: If we are not able to attend the lottery, how do we find out if our number is chosen?
A: Lottery results will be posted the day after the lottery on March 28, 2025. They will be available on the Lottery page of the website after 9 am.
Q: What documents are required to apply for the lottery?
A: Every family must submit the following for each student:
Q: What forms of proof of residence are accepted?
A: Proof of residence can include:
Q: How can I confirm that my application has been received?
A: You will receive an email either confirming a complete or incomplete application. If information is incorrect or missing, it will need to be corrected and resubmitted before February 21st at 4:00 pm or it will NOT BE ADDED into the lottery. Watch for a confirmation email and inquire if you did not receive it. Do not wait until February 21st if possible, as there is a risk of submitting an application that is not correct/complete by 4:00 pm sharp. Any corrections/completions resubmitted after the February 21st, 4:00 pm deadline will not be included in the lottery and will be added to the bottom of the waitlist.
Q: How are applications verified?
A: Address verification is completed by office staff during Open Enrollment. This includes following up on any discrepancies, researching home ownership/rentals, contacting references, and bed checks, if necessary.
Q: Are there admission preferences for the lottery?
A: Yes, preferences are given to:
Q: Do I have a better chance if I submit my application before someone else?
A: It does not matter what day you submit your application during Open Enrollment. Because it is a lottery, you do not receive preference for submitting before anyone else. However, please keep in mind if you wait until the last day, it takes us time to review it, and if there are any problems with your paperwork, you may risk not being added to the lottery if you cannot correct it before 4:00 pm on Feb. 21st. Don’t wait!
Q: What happens if I am not offered admission in the lottery?
A: Applicants not offered admission in the lottery will be placed on a waitlist in order of the lottery draw. This waitlist remains active until the close of open enrollment for the following school year (February 2026). You need to re-apply for the lottery the next year; the application does not roll over.
Q: If my student is offered admission through the lottery, how do we enroll?
A: The enrollment form is mailed to families who confirm their acceptance of the placement offer. The enrollment form must be completed and submitted by May 1, 2025.
Q: What is the age requirement for enrollment for kindergarten?
A: State law requires that incoming kindergarten students are 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2025. The birthdate cutoff is September 1, 2020.
Q: Can I put my child on the waitlist after the lottery?
A: Yes, applications received for the 2025-2026 school year after February 21, 2025, are accepted as post-lottery applications and will be added to the bottom of the waitlist in the order received.
Q: Can I volunteer or make a financial donation to the school to increase my student’s chances in the lottery?
A: No. While you are always welcome to volunteer at MATES (subject to the MATES Volunteer Policy) and to participate in any community or fundraising event, it is illegal for MATES to accept volunteer time or financial contributions in exchange for lottery preference.
Q: What should I do if I want to be added to the waitlist for the current 2024-2025 school year?
A: You can submit an application for the current school year until February 21, 2025. Applications can be submitted via email to [email protected] or by mailing them to MATES at 2000 La Granada Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. We do not admit new students for the current year after the close of open enrollment on February 21, 2025.
Q: How can I contact the school for more information?
A: For any questions, you can call the front office at 805-495-7037 or email [email protected].