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Irvine Chinese Immersion Academy

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Choosing Irvine Chinese Immersion Academy

Thank you for considering Irvine Chinese Immersion Academy (ICIA) for your child! We’re delighted to welcome you and want to ensure you have all the information you need as you navigate the important decision of choosing the right school.

Each winter, we host information sessions and campus tours for prospective families to learn more about ICIA’s full immersion program, school culture, academic approach, and application process. Below, you’ll find additional details about the application process.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Learn More About ICIA

We warmly invite all prospective families to join us for one of our upcoming Information Sessions, which will be held virtually via Zoom. These sessions are designed to give you a deeper understanding of our school community and the unique opportunities offered through our Mandarin Immersion program.

We will be hosting two sessions:

Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 3:45 PM

Link to Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89867192648  

 

Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 3:45 PM

During each session, families will receive a comprehensive presentation about our Mandarin Immersion curriculum, hear directly from members of our school leadership team, and learn more about the achievements and experiences of our students. There will also be dedicated time for a Q&A, allowing you to ask questions and gain insights into how our program supports academic growth, cultural enrichment, and bilingual development.

We look forward to meeting you and sharing what makes our school a vibrant and engaging place to learn.

 

Step 2: Enroll Online

As a public school, ICIA is free and open to all students, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive learning community. We warmly encourage families from all backgrounds to apply and discover the opportunities our school provides.

 Please ensure you have required documents at the time of registration. Click here to view registration forms.

To begin the lottery enrollment process, visit the Apollo Community Portal and get started today.

The lottery application for the 2026-27 school year will open on December 19, 2025, at 3:00 PM and close on January 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM (noon).

If you are interested in applying for the current school year, please select the 2025-2026 academic year when completing the application.

 

Apply Now

 

Step 3: Enrollment Lottery

The ICIA Lottery will be conducted live via Zoom using Apollo on January 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Lottery results (placement numbers) will be emailed to all applicants shortly after the drawing. Beginning in late February 2026, invitations to enroll will be sent to families as space becomes available.

Attendance at the drawing is optional and will not affect an applicant’s chances of being selected. At the conclusion of the random drawing, every applicant will receive either an offer of admission for the upcoming school year or a placement on the grade-level waitlist.

Step 4: Complete Registration Packet

 

Once the ICIA Enrollment Lottery drawings are finished, your lottery results (OFFER or WAITLIST) will be available in your online student dashboard in late February 2026. At that time, you will be able to ACCEPT or DECLINE any offer you receive.

Families who receive an offer will then be sent registration packets to complete the enrollment process.

Step 5: Return Packet To ICIA

The deadline to ACCEPT or DECLINE the ICIA Enrollment offer will be in March 2026 (exact date to be announced). If you do not accept your offer by this deadline, it will automatically expire.

Registration packets must be submitted to ICIA by the same deadline. If accepted applicants do not complete their registration and required documentation on time, any unclaimed seats will be offered to students on the waitlist.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • ICIA is the first public charter immersion school authorized by Irvine Unified Schools District (IUSD). The first day of school was August 24, 2023. The school campus is located at 1 Liberty, Irvine, CA 92620 (Westwood campus & located in the same parking lot as Sierra Vista Middle School).

    ICIA is a free, public charter school. There is no fee for admission. Enrollment is lottery based before the beginning of each academic year. 

  • Yes, please join our waitlist through the community portal. You can access the Portal Link Here. We will contact you when a seat is available.

  • Yes! ICIA follows a year-round calendar, designed to keep students engaged and energized throughout the year.
    Our balanced schedule offers shorter, more frequent breaks, helping students retain learning, reduce burnout, and return refreshed and ready to thrive. Families also appreciate the flexibility for travel and enrichment opportunities outside of peak seasons — it’s learning that fits life, not the other way around. Please refer to our School Calendars also found in our resources tab. 

  • At this time, we are not able to offer in-person campus tours. Due to the high volume of requests, providing tours for all interested families would result in frequent disruptions to our students’ learning environment—something we work hard to protect.
    The good news? We’re creating a virtual video tour that will showcase our classrooms, programs, and school culture. We expect to have it ready by February, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

  • Yes. We have childcare options for all ICIA (TK - 5th) students. More information can be found on our childcare page or email childcare@iciacademy.org

  • At ICIA, our Chinese Immersion Program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and engaging learning experience in both Mandarin and English. From an early age, students are immersed in a dual-language environment, fostering bilingual proficiency and cultural understanding.

  • ICIA Age Grade Level

    For more detailed information, please refer to the California Department of Education TK requirements. The TK requirements will change again for the 2026-2027 academic year. 

    We follow state public school guidelines.  No exceptions. 

  • Table outlining the ICIA Full Immersion Program, detailing Mandarin instruction percentages and core subjects for grades K-5.

  • New students interested in enrolling at ICIA must submit a lottery application through Apollo before the published deadline. After the application window closes, a public drawing will be held, and families will be notified of the results.

    The lottery process for the 2026–2027 school year will begin in December 2025. Please stay tuned for detailed instructions and dates, which will be shared at that time.

    As a public charter school, ICIA follows the California Department of Education’s age and birthdate guidelines to determine the appropriate grade level for each child. No exceptions can be made.

    For more information about Transitional Kindergarten (TK) eligibility and requirements, please review the official CDE TK Guidelines

  • Classroom sizes will vary by grade level. Currently, TK - 5th grade are averaging approximately 22-26 students. 

  • Currently, the school does not provide transportation.

  • Yes — please create an online community portal for your family. Once your portal is set up, you can submit a waitlist application for each sibling within the same account.

    Please note: this is a waitlist submission, not an enrollment application. You can find the link to the community portal on our Enrollment page

  • In the most recent CAASPP results, 85% of ICIA students met or exceeded standards in English Language Arts (ELA), and an impressive 91% met or exceeded standards in Math. These results reflect our commitment to academic excellence, bilingual mastery, and joyful learning. You can learn more about our test scores here!