Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Veritas Prep is a tuition-free, nonselective public school that is overseen by our Board of Directors and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). As a public school, we are accountable to DESE standards and must apply for renewal every five years. Any student in Springfield can apply to Veritas Prep and students are chosen via a lottery held each year.

Veritas Prep, like all public schools, is a tuition-free nonselective nonprofit and serves students with disabilities and students who are learning English. The percentage of students receiving special education services at Veritas Prep is 20%, which is comparable to that of the Springfield Public Schools at 25%.

Veritas has several strategies for engaging students in Springfield who are entering 5th grade. This includes:

• Flyers and applications at local businesses
• An online portal with an application
• Mailers with applications sent to all rising 5th grade families in Springfield
• Marketing and attendance at community events to spread the word

The application is very easy to complete. Applications are available online, are only one page, and are written in both English and Spanish. We ask only for basic information such as:

• Names of student and parent(s)/guardian(s)
• Previous grade
• Address
• 1 proof of address

Our front desk staff is also available to provide support in filling out the application and can provide a paper application if requested.

All applicants, regardless of whether they are offered a spot, receive an email with their status (enrollment offer or waitlist) via the email address listed on their application. Emails are sent out one week after the lottery.

There are 120 spots available for the 5th grade. The first 120 applications pulled through the lottery are offered a spot. All other 5th-grade applicants are placed on the waitlist. There are limited seats in grades 6-11 that also will be filled through the lottery. All grade 6–11 applicants who do not get a spot are automatically placed on the waitlist. If openings become available in grades 6–11, applicants are pulled off the waitlist in the chronological order of their waitlist number.

The enrollment packet is in both English and Spanish. Each page is translated line by line. The enrollment packet includes a letter outlining our ELL program (as required by the state) and asks for information including:

• Proof of address
• Medical record
• Previous school records release
• Media release
• Emergency contacts
• Notice of an IEP or 504
• Home Language Survey for ELL students
• Formal enrollment intent with a signature from the parent

Our front desk operations staff reviews every enrollment packet we receive and can provide support filling out the application in person or over the phone.

Veritas Prep serves students who are learning English as well as students with disabilities. All applications, regardless of a student’s English language or disability status, are accepted. We do not know or request any information about ELL or learning disabilities status for the application. We do not ask for this information until after the student has been offered a spot through the lottery process.

No. Veritas Prep is one school with two campuses: middle school and high school. All 8th graders continue to 9th grade at the high school campus.

Yes. At the middle school, students have art, theater, wellness/physical education, and music. At the high school, students can take technology, physical education, and Spanish. We also offer sports at both campuses, including, but not limited to, basketball, volleyball, cross country, and baseball. Extracurriculars include drumline, Veritas Voices, Art Club, Theater Club, and Dance Team. We look to expand our programming each year.