Thank you for your interest in Bezos Academy
To be eligible for our program, your child must be three or four years old by September 1, 2022. We ask families to make every effort to ensure their child is toilet trained by the first day of school. In addition, eligibility is determined by family income. A family is defined as all persons living in the same household who are supported by the child’s parent(s)’ or guardian(s)’ income. To be eligible for Bezos Academy the child’s annual family income can be up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Bezos Academy’s admissions process is designed to reserve half of the seats in each classroom for students of families with annual incomes that are up to 250% of the FPL.
| Family Size | < 250% of FPL | < 400% of FPL |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $45,775 | $73,240 |
| 3 | $57,575 | $92,120 |
| 4 | $69,375 | $111,000 |
| 5 | $81,175 | $129,880 |
| 6 | $92,975 | $148,760 |
| 7 | $104,775 | $167,640 |
| 8 | $116,575 | $186,520 |
| 9 | $128,375 | $205,400 |
| 10 | $140,175 | $224,280 |
Applications and Lottery
Bezos Academy admits new students through a random lottery drawing. Preference in lotteries is given to income eligible children who are experiencing homelessness or living in foster care, siblings of Bezos Academy students, children of Bezos Academy employees, and students transferring from another Bezos Academy location.
Applications are now available for the 2022-23 school year at our established Washington schools of Bezos Academy Des Moines, Federal Way – Lakeland, Pacific Beach, Tacoma-McCarver, and Tacoma-Roosevelt. The lottery will be conducted on June 7th.
| School Name | Info Session | Application Submission Date for Lottery | Lottery Conducted | Notification to Families |
| Des Moines | May 17th at 6:00 pm PT | June 6th at 11:59 pm PT | June 7th | June 9th |
| Federal Way – Lakeland | May 17th at 6:00 pm PT | June 6th at 11:59 pm PT | June 7th | June 9th |
| Pacific Beach | May 17th at 6:00 pm PT | June 6th at 11:59 pm PT | June 7th | June 9th |
| Tacoma – McCarver | May 17th at 6:00 pm PT | June 6th at 11:59 pm PT | June 7th | June 9th |
| Tacoma – Roosevelt | May 17th at 6:00 pm PT | June 6th at 11:59 pm PT | June 7th | June 9th |
Applications received after the lottery deadline will be placed on the waiting list. If a space becomes available, Bezos Academy will notify families immediately.
For new schools opening in late 2022 and early 2023, applications will be available in summer 2022. Please check back for updates.
Enrollment Process
3
Complete Registration
If your child is accepted into the program, complete enrollment forms.
FAQs
How will I know that you’ve received my application?
Depending on which preference you selected on your application, you will receive either an email or text message confirmation when your application is received.
How will I learn if my child receives a seat in the lottery or is waitlisted?
Bezos Academy will notify you by email or text message, based on what you provided on your application, within 48 hours of the lottery. You can also see the status of your application at any time by logging into your account at apply.bezosacademy.org.
Are seats awarded on a first-come-first-served basis?
No. All applications received before the school’s lottery date will be entered into the lottery. The date that you submit your application will not affect your chances of gaining a seat. Applications received after the school’s lottery date will be added to the waitlist.
How long will I have to accept an offered spot at Bezos Academy if my child is selected in the lottery?
You have two weeks (14 days) to accept the seat.
Once a child is enrolled, do they keep their seat the following school year?
Yes. Children keep their seat year-to-year until the student graduates from our program.
How do I contact Bezos Academy with other questions about the application and lottery process?
You can email enroll@bezosacademy.org or call 1-833-560-2221 with questions. We can provide interpreters to assist families with completing their application. Our staff also host in-person application events in the community to help families complete their applications – see the timeline of events on the individual school pages.
Can families apply to multiple Bezos Academy locations?
Yes. Families may apply to multiple schools during a lottery cycle by ranking their school choices, but will receive only one offer. We conduct separate lotteries for each school. If selected in more than one school during the lottery, you will receive the seat at your highest ranked school. If you did not receive a seat at your top choice(s) you will remain on that school’s waitlist.
If I have more than one child, do I need to complete a separate application for each child?
Yes, you must submit a separate application for each child applying to attend a Bezos Academy. You may use one family account to submit applications for multiple children.
Do siblings get a spot in the school if one child is selected in the lottery?
Yes, if two siblings apply in one lottery and one child receives admission during the lottery, their sibling is offered a seat if one is available. Bezos Academy considers siblings as any of the following who reside in the same household: full siblings, half siblings, step siblings, and children residing in a family foster home.
Is the Bezos Academy lottery application available in other languages?
Yes, the Bezos Academy application is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, Filipino, Japanese, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. Bezos Academy provides interpreters to assist families with completing their application. Please email enroll@bezosacademy.org or call 1-833-560-2221 for interpreter assistance.
My child speaks a language other than English and does not speak English yet. Can they apply?
Yes. Bezos Academy supports English language learners.
Does Bezos Academy accept children with special needs?
Yes. Our policy is to accept students and provide reasonable modifications in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), its regulations, and any other applicable local, state, or federal laws pertaining to the provision of services to individuals with disabilities. Bezos Academy works with families to ensure we have the right program that fits your child’s learning needs. If Bezos Academy is not able to provide necessary services, then we are committed to working closely with families to ensure your child receives the services they require in the appropriate setting.
Does Bezos Academy enroll children that attend less than five days a week?
Bezos Academy provides a year-round education that is full day and five days a week. Bezos Academy expects students to attend the program five days a week from 9:00am-3:30pm. Participating in Morning or Evening Extended Day Learning is optional.
What are Bezos Academy school hours?
The typical hours of operation for Bezos Academy are 8:00am – 5:00pm Monday – Thursday and 9:00am – 3:30pm on Friday. The regular school day is from 9:00am – 3:30pm. Extended day is available to all children and families. The typical extended hours are 8:00am – 9:00am (Monday-Thursday) and 3:30pm – 5:00pm (Monday-Thursday). Hours of operation may vary based on COVID policies.
Will my family be charged a fee for attending?
No. Bezos Academy is tuition-free, which means that the preschool is free of charge to eligible families. Each Bezos Academy also provides materials, supplies, and meals for students at no cost to the families.
