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Irvine Chinese Immersion Academy

Rooted in Growth, Reaching for the Sky.

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FAQs

Enrollment FAQs

2026-2027 School Year

How are students admitted for the next school year?

The lottery process for the 2026–2027 school year will begin in December 2025. 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.

How and when will the lottery take place?

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.

When does the enrollment lottery open and close?

The Enrollment Lottery Application will open on December 19, 2025, at 3:00 PM and close on January 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM (noon). Families can submit applications during this period through our enrollment portal. You can access the Portal Link Here. Applications received after the deadline will be added to the waitlist.

Are there opportunities to learn more before applying?

Yes! We warmly invite prospective families to attend our Information Sessions via Zoom:​​​​​ Tuesday, December 17, 2025, at 3:45 PM & Tuesday, January 7, 2026, at 3:45 PM.These sessions will  include a presentation about our Mandarin Immersion program, Q&A with school leadership, and highlights of our students’ success.

 

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. 

  • Please refer to our enrollment page for the most current information in regards to campus tours and group campus tours should anything change.

  • 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.

  • Table outlining birthdate criteria for grade level placement at Irvine Chinese Immersion Academy for the 2025-26 school year.

    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

  • 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

  • Classroom sizes will vary by grade level. Currently, TK - 1st grade are averaging approximately 22-26 students. 

  • Kindergarten is full day. TK is half day with TK AM and TK PM classes.

  • Currently, the school does not provide transportation.