The OCS Enrollment Process And Timeline
Your Enrollment Timeline
Mark these dates on your calendar. Every step of the OCS enrollment journey is outlined here.
Application Opens
Visit schoolchoicede.org/ApplyInfo/Odyssey to begin your application
Application Deadline at 11:59 PM
Submit before 11:59 PM. Applications submitted after January 14, 2026 will not be included in the lottery. They will be added to the waitlist in the order received.
Electronic Lottery Conducted
Nothing required. The lottery runs automatically.
Results Announced
Check your email. Add HelpDesk@SchoolChoiceDE.org to your trusted senders now.
Acceptance Deadline
Accept or decline your invitation by this date.
How the Lottery Works
The OCS enrollment lottery is not a competition. It is a state administered random selection process designed to give every eligible Delaware family an equal chance.
Delaware uses a statewide electronic lottery system used by most public districts and charter schools. The system is fully automated. There is no human bias, no human error, and no favoritism. All complete applications received by the deadline are entered into the lottery equally. If seats are available for all applicants, no lottery is needed and all applicants are accepted.
Certain applicant groups receive preference by Delaware law. Children of founding members, current OCS employees, and siblings of currently enrolled students receive priority placement. All other applicants are entered equally into the general lottery.
Important Tip
Lottery results will be emailed from SchoolChoiceDE.org by February 27, 2026.
To make sure results do not land in your spam folder, add HelpDesk@SchoolChoiceDE.org to your trusted senders list now, before the lottery runs.
Three Possible Outcomes
You will receive one of three outcomes by February 27, 2026. Here is what each one means and what to do next.
1. You Receive an Invitation
You will be notified by email or mail by February 27, 2026. You have until March 20, 2026 to accept or decline. Once you accept, your child's seat is secured. Current OCS students do not reapply. Their seat is secured until graduation.
See How to Enroll2. You Are Placed on the Waitlist
If seats are filled, your child will be placed on the waitlist in lottery order. Waitlist positions are established by the lottery and do not change. Seats can open throughout the year. Waitlists do not carry over to the next year.
3. You Applied After the Deadline
Late applications are not included in the lottery. They are added to the waitlist in the order received, after all lottery placed applicants. Families may still apply after the deadline at SchoolChoiceDE.org. seats can open through august
Before You Apply — Your Checklist
A complete application gets into the lottery. An incomplete one does not. Run through this list before you submit.
Confirm your child is a legal Delaware resident at your primary home address
Register at your School of Residence if your child is not currently in a Delaware public school
Find Your School of ResidenceConfirm your child's age for Kindergarten applicants — must turn 5 by August 31. An official birth certificate is required.
Know which grade your child is applying for — must be the next consecutive grade they are being promoted into
For Kindergarten and Grade 1 applicants — decide between Greek FLES and Greek Immersion. You may rank both as a first and second choice.
Compare Greek ProgramsAdd HelpDesk@SchoolChoiceDE.org to your trusted senders list now
Submit your application at schoolchoicede.org/ApplyInfo/Odyssey before January 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Paper Applications
Paper applications are available by request from the OCS Admissions Office if you are unable to apply online. Families are encouraged to apply online to maintain proper communication and documentation. Applications postmarked by January 14, 2026 will be considered on time.
Ready to Apply?
You have everything you need. Here is where to go next.