How can I get more information about upcoming tours and other events?
Tours and Open Houses are offered throughout the year to families interested in learning more about Thales Academy. You can explore these opportunities and view a calendar of events via our Visit Thales Academy page. Due to high interest, we are not able to schedule individual tours. Tours are typically not available during track out periods or during summer break.
May I bring my child to a Tour or Open House?
Yes, we would love to have your child visit! However, your child's attendance is not required and does not affect admission decisions.
Do I need to prepare or study for the admissions interview and assessment?
Generally, no preparation is necessary. For students entering first through fifth grades, the interview will consist of grade-level assessments in spelling, reading comprehension, reading fluency, and math concepts. For students entering kindergarten or Pre-K, the assessment is age-appropriate and focuses on basic skills such as numbers, shapes, letters and word association. Elementary school assessments generally take no longer than 30 minutes.
Interviews with junior high or high school students provide an opportunity for us to get to know the student and talk with them about all of their interests, hobbies, and school experiences. An assessment for proper math level placement may also be administered during the interview.
Can I apply to multiple Thales Academy campuses?
No, applicants may only be considered for a single campus and grade level. If you would like to transfer an application currently on file to a different campus, please contact our admissions office for further information.
Do you have attendance zones?
We do not have specific attendance zones. Students may apply to any Thales Academy campus regardless of their home address. However, please note that Thales Academy does not provide transportation, and parents are responsible for transporting their student to and from campus.
Is there an age cutoff for students applying to Pre-K or Kindergarten?
For all campuses, Pre-K applicants must be 4 years of age by September 30 of the year in which the student enrolls. Kindergarten applicants must be 5 years of age by September 30 of the year in which the student enrolls.
Parents seeking admission for applicants in all other grades are encouraged to apply for the grade in which they feel their child will be most successful. Thales Academy does not have a specific age cutoff for grades beyond kindergarten.
When do applications open for upcoming academic years?
Applications for each academic year open in early September of the year prior to enrollment. If you would like to be placed on a mailing list to receive a reminder when applications are available for a future academic year, please visit our Apply Now page.
What is included in the confidential student evaluations?
We request student evaluations to assist the decision-making process by providing a window into the student's past academic and behavioral performance. The confidential student evaluations may be sent to current or former teachers through the admissions checklist. Returned evaluations are reviewed only by appropriate staff in the course of making enrollment decisions and do not become part of the student's permanent academic record.
I have submitted an application but have not received an invitation for an interview; am I on the waitlist?
Students who have submitted an application to Thales Academy are placed in our applicant queue and are not directly added to the waitlist. Students in the applicant queue will have their applications considered in the order of submission, and will be offered an interview for an enrollment seat or a waitlist position only as space remains available. Waitlisted students have completed the entire admissions process, including successful completion of an admissions interview and assessment, and have been given an official ‘waitlisted’ decision. These students will be accepted for enrollment pending space availability.
What is my waitlist number?
We are unable to provide applicants with a specific waitlist number. Our waitlist changes frequently, and providing a specific number is largely unhelpful without appropriate context.
I have completed the enrollment contract and paid the deposit; what other information is required?
Once you complete your contract and pay your enrollment deposit, your child is officially enrolled at Thales Academy! Information regarding teacher assignments, school supplies, etc. will be provided by campus staff prior to the beginning of the academic year. For midyear enrollments, campus administrators will provide appropriate information as soon as possible, including determining the start date for the student to begin classes.
I have been accepted but cannot be present on the first day of school. Can you hold my seat?
We are unable to hold seats for students accepted for enrollment who will not be in attendance on the first day of school or, if accepted after the academic year begins, who are not able to enroll immediately. Instead, students will be placed on our waitlist until they are prepared to begin attending class; however, seats will continue to be filled in the interim, and it is possible that we may not have a seat available for enrollment at the time the student is ready to begin attending classes. If a seat is no longer available when the student is ready to attend, they will remain on the waitlist until a seat becomes available again.
When is the first day of school?
Thales Academy operates on a year-round calendar that includes a five-week summer break and three 3-week trackouts in September, December and March. The first day of school is typically the third Monday of July, and the academic year normally ends on the second Friday of June. Please visit the Academic Calendar page for dates specific to individual academic years.
Do you offer scholarships or any discounts?
Yes, while we do not administer the program, we do accept the NC Opportunity Scholarship at North Carolina campuses. You may find more information about this scholarship via their website.
Financial assistance is also offered via the Luddy Schools Scholarship Fund, which is available to enrolled Thales Academy students experiencing financial hardship. Information about how to apply for the Luddy Schools Scholarship will be provided upon request after the student has enrolled. All Luddy Schools Scholarship awards are based on objective financial need, determined by using a form similar to FAFSA.
Learn more about our scholarships and payment plans here.
Can I apply for admission after the start of the academic year?
Yes. We would love to make Thales Academy a part of your child's educational journey. Applications for current year open seats will continue to be considered until the end of the second track.
If you would like to enroll your child past the end of November, please contact admissions@thalesacademy.org to discuss enrollment options. We have found that it is extremely challenging for students to catch up when enrolling or transferring after the end of the calendar year. However, we do make exceptions for students already experienced in the classical education model.
All offers of enrollment are dependent on current space availability.
Are current families required to reapply each year?
Current Thales Academy students in good academic and financial standing do not need to reapply each year. Re-enrollment is automatic unless the campus is notified of a student's intended withdrawal. Updated billing and tuition confirmations may be required for families to complete each year for enrollment to continue.
My student was accepted or waitlisted in a previous year but did not enroll. Can I transfer my application to another academic year?
Each grade level has different requirements for admission, including grade-specific assessments and evaluations, so applications and prior decisions are not transferable to future years. A new application is required for each admissions year.
My student was denied admission; can I reapply to a different campus or at a later date?
Thales Academy admissions decisions are applicable across all campuses for the academic year to which the student had applied. However, we welcome students to reapply in future years. Admissions decisions for every academic year are considered on their own merits, and a previous decision does not impact decisions made on applications submitted for later years.
My student is currently enrolled; how do you handle transfers to another Thales Academy campus?
If you would like to transfer your student's enrollment to another Thales Academy campus, simply contact your current campus with your transfer request, and we will add you to a transfer request list and notify you when there is an opening at the requested campus. A waiting period may apply to transfer requests.
How do siblings of a currently enrolled student apply?
The application process for a sibling is identical to all other admissions applications. However, siblings of enrolled students may receive early access to applications, allowing them the opportunity to receive priority consideration for open seats. Please note, enrollment for siblings is offered only after the full admissions process has been completed, and only when space is available in the requested grade and campus. Sibling enrollment is not guaranteed.
Do you accept applications from international students?
We welcome applications for students who already possess a visa or other proof of long-term legal residency that allows them to reside and attend school in the United States. Thales Academy is not able to provide sponsorship for international students. Candidates must be able to successfully complete an admissions interview as well as read and understand English, as we are not able to provide any language assistance services.
For other general FAQs about Thales Academy, please visit our FAQ page.
If you have any questions regarding the admissions process, please contact our admissions team at admissions@thalesacademy.org or 919-208-9782.
Thank you for considering Thales Academy for your child! We look forward to meeting you.