Admissions

Students can apply to Orion throughout the year, as long as an opening is available. For decisions regarding entry for fall of the next school year, applications will be reviewed beginning in January and continuing through March. Parents will need to request an application, either by phone, e-mail or in writing. Once you have reviewed the materials, gathered the necessary information and completed the forms, return the information to Orion Academy, attn: Admissions Committee, along with the $100.00 non-refundable application fee. You will be notified within two weeks if the information is complete and if an interview will be scheduled. Applications are due by January 30.

During the first interview, parent and student meet with Dr. Stewart and may meet with one of the faculty. This takes approximately 1- 2 hours. Following that interview the staff will discuss the placement and if appropriate, a second interview is offered. This time the student is asked to spend a morning at Orion, which will include a math test and providing a writing sample. A final decision will be sent to the student and parents within two weeks. In the event the decision is against admissions, please feel free to call and discuss this with Dr. Stewart.

More information about the application process »

Financial Aid Policy

Statement of Purpose

  • Orion Academy strives to offer financial assistance to students whose financial need is evaluated by an independent review, with a commitment to non-discrimination and consideration of student’s personal and academic factors.
  • Each year the board will evaluate the amount of assistance that can be offered and will announce the acceptance of applications for financial aid.
  • Application will be open to any current or incoming student and will be evaluated by the board committee.
  • Recommendations from teachers and Dr. Stewart will be considered.

The goals of this aid include:

  • Making it possible for current, successful students to continue at Orion even in the face of a change in the family financial circumstances.
  • To assist in creating a diverse student population of students who might otherwise not be able to afford the full Orion tuition.

Factors to consider (these factors are not ranked):

  • Number of years at Orion
  • Academic and social success
  • Family commitment to the program
  • Increasing the diversity of the student population

Process of Application for Financial Aid:

  1. Families must contact Orion Academy to request the Financial Aid Application between September 15th and December 15th of the current academic year – aid will be considered for the NEXT academic year only. Please complete the information below to request a copy of the Application. The completed Financial Aid Application is due to Orion by December 15.
  2. After the Financial Aid Application is received by Orion Academy, families must submit financial information to an independent review firm (family to cover the cost of this review). The Financial Aid Application lists the website that must be used for this submission.  The financial information must be submitted to the independent financial review firm by January 15th.
  3. The  review firm will provide financial review reports to Orion’s Financial Aid Committee.
  4. Families will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision.

Request Financial Aid Application

Please complete the following information to request a copy of the Financial Aid Application form. The form will be sent via email to the address you provide. The form the we will email to you MUST be returned to Orion by December 15.

Orion Academy Policy for Accepting Students on IEP

It is the policy of the Orion Academy to accept no more than 50% of the student body on IEP/school district contracts. While our goal is to make admission possible for students who cannot afford the tuition and can qualify through their school district, the requirements of the IEP process together with financial and contractual issues with school districts require us to limit such enrollments in order to ensure that we can operate the school successfully. This policy makes it possible for us to satisfy our responsibility to run a safe and fiscally sound organization while making our unique program available to as many qualified students as possible.  We understand that there will be more applications for IEP students than slots each year and the following criteria have been developed to guide the process of accepting the contracts.

This policy does not apply to students who are seeking admission as a private placement, even if the child has a current IEP from a previous school.

Criteria for accepting contracts

  • Length of time at Orion – students who have already been a member of the school community will have first priority for IEP consideration as a new slot opens.
  • Completion of a district contract and curent ISA and a placement IEP meeting.

Policy for Handling Complaints regarding the IEP

Parents of students on an IEP who have complaints about the IEP process or services provided, will contact the LEA and follow the procedures for complaints as described in the Parent Rights information distributed by the LEA in the annual IEP meeting and will send a copy of their written complaint to Orion Academy.

 

Nondiscrimination Policy

Orion Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship program, and other school-administered programs.