Student Admissions
Valley Inquiry Charter School is a free public charter school sponsored by the Salem-Keizer Public School District (24J). Opened in 2005, we were the first accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) World School in the Pacific Northwest. In Spring 2025, the VICS Governing Board approved the expansion of K-8th grade. We will enter candidacy with the IB World Organization for the Middle Years Program (MYP) in August 2025. Our school is open to any K-8 student within the SKPS boundaries. With the opening of the 6th-8th grade MYP at Valley, we will complete the K-12 IB pipeline to South and North Salem High Schools.​
Starting in May 2025, applications are accepted from families interested in having their middle school student join Valley for the upcoming school year. The application will be open until June 4th. If there are more applications for next year's 6th-8th grade classes than there are spots available, a public lottery will be held on June 6th via Zoom. During the public lottery, spots are given first to families with siblings enrolled in Valley Inquiry (as well as currently enrolled fifth graders). Lottery numbers are then assigned to all remaining applications, and all remaining spots for the 6th-8th grade classes are given to the families who lottery numbers are selected during the lottery. Once all open spots have been filled, the lottery continues to assign waitlist numbers in the order that numbers are drawn. The waitlist generated during this lottery carries over each year.
Construction on our Middle School expansion is expected to begin late Spring 2025. Updates to the construction project, progress, and other pertinent info regarding the Middle School expansion can be found on our website. ​
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​See Middle School Expansion Section Below
Each January applications are accepted from families interested in having their student join our Kindergarten class for the upcoming school year. If there are more applications for next year's Kindergarten class than there are spots available, a public lottery will be held in March via Zoom. During the public lottery, spots are given first to families with siblings enrolled in Valley Inquiry. Lottery numbers are then assigned to all remaining applications, and all remaining spots for the Kindergarten class are given to the families who lottery numbers are selected during the lottery. Once all open spots have been filled, the lottery continues to assign waitlist numbers in the order that numbers are drawn. The waitlist generated during this lottery carries over each year.
2025-26 Kindergarten:
January 31st - Kindergarten Applications are LIVE!
February 19th - Kindergarten Information Night 6 pm - 7 pm (On Site)
March 5th - 2025-26 Kindergarten Applications due by 5 pm (Applications received after this will be added to the waitlist)
March 12th - Kindergarten Lottery, 10 am via Zoom; Link will be posted right before event
Kinder 25-26 Classlist & Waitlist is posted below. Lottery numbers were emailed to applicants. You can also call the VICS office to request your lottery number.
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Current Kindergarten through 5th Grade:
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If you have an interest in having your student attend Valley Inquiry Charter School, please ensure you complete the digital application (link below) to secure your placement on our waitlist. Our waitlists roll over each year, so securing your spot early is critical.
Please note: It is impossible to predict whether or not your student's position on the waitlist may translate into an open spot in one of our classrooms, as this depends on factors outside of our control. Some years see little to no movement on the waitlist. Other years have seen a grade level deplete the waitlist entirely. Your best chance of admission is to complete the application as soon as you can.
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Valley Inquiry
Middle School Expansion (MYP)
2025-26 6th-8th grade Applications due June 4th!
Middle School Lottery June 6th at 10 am
(Zoom Link to come)
Valley Inquiry Charter School is a free public charter school sponsored by the Salem-Keizer Public School District (24J). Opened in 2005, we were the first accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) World School in the Pacific Northwest. In Spring 2025, the VICS Governing Board approved the expansion of K-8th grade. We will enter candidacy with the IB World Organization for the Middle Years Program (MYP) in August 2025. Our school is open to any K-8 student within the SKPS boundaries. With the opening of the 6th-8th grade MYP at Valley, we will complete the K-12 IB pipeline to South and North Salem High Schools.
We embrace our IB underpinnings as we seek to offer an alternative, unique, and powerful curriculum and education program for students within our community. Admission to our school is granted through a public lottery and waitlist system. Applications for next year’s 6th-8th grade waitlists are available on our website as well as important updates to our middle school expansion project.
Highlights of our school include:
* Promoting inquiry in learning to understand and take action on current and relevant world issues
* Focus on international-mindedness as a way to develop an appreciation and understanding of other cultures
* Fostering student agency to ensure students have a voice, choice, and ownership over their learning
* Embracing equity, diversity, and inclusivity as core foundations of an active and thriving IB World School
* Enrichment learning in Spanish, Music, STEAM, and PE for students.
Before You Apply:
Before submitting an application to Valley Inquiry Charter School, it is important you download our Admissions Packet and read through it in its entirety.
By submitting an application, you are agreeing that you have read the Admissions Packet in its entirety and have an understanding of the IB program at Valley Inquiry Charter School. You understand the attributes of the IB Learner Profile and understand the expectations for students and for families while at our school. You understand the school's focus on international mindedness, student agency, and taking action as mechanisms to create a safer and better world. You also recognize that Valley Inquiry embraces and celebrates the role that diversity, equity, and inclusion brings to a thriving IB World School environment. In submitting an application, you are also indicating support of these principles and our school's mission and focus.
Kindergarten Admissions
2025-2026
Kindergarten applications are now open!
Families seeking admission for current
Kinder-5th graders should complete the digital application below to be added to the appropriate grade's waitlist.
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