DPS Releases Afterschool FAQ for Parents

Families seeking afterschool care for their Durham Public Schools students in the 2024-2025 academic year continue to have questions about the new lottery process that the district is applying for registration.

This week, the DPS Community Education department released a frequent asked questions (FAQ) document addressing some of the questions:

Q: My child is currently in afterschool. Do I need to apply for the lottery, or should I register in Procare/Schoolcare Works?

A: Yes, you must apply for a seat through the lottery. This year, a lottery system will be implemented to give families equitable access to DPS afterschool programs. All families who wish to participate in DPS’s afterschool program must apply via the SchoolMint website.

Q: When does the lottery open?

A: The lottery window opens March 18 at 8 a.m. and closes on April 19 at 5 p.m.

Q: If I apply through the lottery, am I guaranteed a seat?

A: Applying in the lottery does not confirm your placement in afterschool for the upcoming school year.

Q: If I’m accepted through the lottery, what do I do next?

A: You may accept your seat and complete registration via Procare/Schoolcare Works beginning May 6 at 8 a.m. to May 17 at 5 p.m.

Q: I registered my child for the DPS Magnet/CTE Lottery using the SchoolMint website. Do I need to create a new account?

A: No, you will be able to apply using the same credentials and complete the Afterschool Lottery Application.

Q: What happens if I do not apply during the March 18 – April 19 Afterschool Application Lottery window?

A: Families may register for afterschool directly in Procare/Schoolcare Works via www.dpsnc.net/afterschool beginning June 3 for any remaining seats.

Q: If my child is on the waitlist for another school or has a transfer pending, which afterschool program do I apply for?

A: Families should enter the lottery for the school their child will attend in the 2024-2025 school year. We understand that families are awaiting confirmation from the Office of Student Assignment about pending transfers and selection from waitlists. If you have not received confirmation from Student Assignment, you should apply for the afterschool program at the school your child is assigned to for the 2024-2025 school year.

Q: My child was selected from a waitlist or granted a transfer to a different school. Will my child’s seat in afterschool be honored at their new school?

A: If you have been granted a seat at a different school or receive a transfer, you will need to contact Community Education. Enrollment to the new school/program will be granted if seats are still available.

The fees paid will be transferred to the new school/program. If there are no seats, the student will be added to the priority waitlist if they already registered and received a seat in one of our programs.

Q: I have more than one child. Do I have to submit a lottery application for each child?

A: Yes, you must apply for each child attending the afterschool program. You may link siblings within the SchoolMint portal before submitting your applications for your children.

Q: Do I have to pay when I apply for the afterschool lottery?

A: No, you do not need to pay when you apply for the lottery. You will only need to pay if you have been granted a seat and once you complete your registration in Procare/Schoolcare Works. Registration occurs after you have been notified of your placement in an afterschool program.

Q: If I apply for the lottery on the first day, will my child have a better chance of getting in the afterschool program at our school?

A: No, students are selected from the lottery at random. This ensures all families have equal access to the program.

Q: My child received an afterschool lottery seat. What happens if I miss the deadline to register in Procare/Schoolcare Works and accept my seat?

A: Families must log in to the Procare/Schoolcare Works system from May 6 at 8 a.m. through May 17 at 5 p.m. to accept their afterschool lottery seat and complete registration for their child. If families miss the deadline, you must wait to register for any remaining seats beginning June 3 via Procare/Schoolcare Works.

Q: How long will I remain on the waitlist?

A: Our goal is to remove students from the waitlist as soon as possible, contingent upon staffing. Once additional staff have been hired for your designated program, waitlisted families will be contacted.

Q: If I currently have a past due tuition balance, can I still apply for the lottery?

A: All families regardless of current Community Education balances can apply for the lottery. However, all accounts must be current to register and pay in Procare/Schoolcare Works for the upcoming school year.

Q: After I apply for the afterschool lottery and receive a seat, does that automatically register my child?

A: No, families must log into Procare/Schoolcare Works from May 6 at 8 a.m. through May 17 at 5 p.m. to accept their lottery seat and register their child.

Q: My child currently attends a DPS afterschool program. Will my child’s name automatically be placed in the lottery for the upcoming school year?

A: There are no automatic placements in the lottery. All elementary families must apply in SchoolMint to access afterschool programs for the 2024-25 school year. If you do not apply in the lottery, you may register for afterschool directly in Procare/Schoolcare Works via http://www.dpsnc.net/afterschool beginning June 3 for any remaining seats.

Q: Will the lottery apply to before school and/or middle school programs?

A: No, the lottery only applies to elementary afterschool programs. Families can register for before school and middle school programs beginning June 3.

Join our free Discord server for subscribers!