Enrollment Timeline
Key dates and deadlines for Fall 2026
2026 Key Dates At-a-Glance
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| March 1 | ISP applications open |
| April 16 | ESA applications open on Odyssey |
| June 30 | ESA application deadline |
| July 15 | First ESA disbursement (~$3,994) |
| August ~20 | School year starts |
| September 30 | Last day to enroll and still receive ESA for the year |
| December 1 | Second ESA disbursement (~$3,994) |
Put these dates on your calendar. The ESA window (April 16 - June 30) is the most important.
Phase 1: Discover ISP (Now - March)
What to do:
- Read through our How ISP Works guide
- Watch videos about the 2-hour model
- Talk to your family about whether ISP is the right fit
- Ask questions: hello@iowasportsprep.com
What ISP is doing:
- Building our SSC team
- Finalizing curriculum partnerships
- Setting up district agreements for HF 189 sports access
No commitment required yet. This is your exploration phase.
Phase 2: MyParent Journey (March - April 15)
What to do:
- Create a MyParent account on our website
- Complete the knowledge journey — watch videos, take quizzes, learn the model
- Reach 80+ Parent OVR — prove you understand how ISP works
- Schedule your SSC intro call — meet your child's potential coach
| OVR Range | Status |
|---|---|
| 0-49 | Exploring — still learning |
| 50-79 | Learning — almost there |
| 80-89 | Qualified — can enroll |
| 90-99 | Elite Parent — community leader |
Why 80 OVR? We want aligned families who truly understand the model. Parents who complete MyParent have:
- Fewer surprises once school starts
- Better student outcomes
- Higher satisfaction with ISP
Most families reach 80 OVR in 2-3 hours spread across a few sessions.
Phase 3: Apply for ESA (April 16 - June 30)
This is the critical window. Iowa's ESA application period is April 16 through June 30.
Step-by-Step ESA Application
| Step | What to Do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Go to educateiowa.gov | — |
| 2 | Navigate to Education Savings Accounts → Apply | 2 min |
| 3 | Enter your child's information | 5 min |
| 4 | Enter parent/guardian information | 5 min |
| 5 | Upload proof of Iowa residency | 2 min |
| 6 | Submit application | 1 min |
Total time: About 15 minutes.
What Happens After You Apply
| Timeline | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Within 30 minutes | Most applications are approved (Iowa DOE processes quickly) |
| After approval | You'll receive access to the Odyssey platform |
| In Odyssey | You'll see your $7,988 ESA balance |
Iowa approves fast. Most families know within the same day whether their ESA is approved.
Don't Wait Until June 30
Yes, you have until June 30. But here's why applying early matters:
- SSC spots fill up. Popular SSCs reach 100 students and close.
- Peace of mind. You'll know your funding is secured.
- More time to prepare. Get your child excited, set up their workspace, meet their pod.
Recommended: Apply within the first two weeks (April 16-30).
Phase 4: Confirm Enrollment (April - July)
Once your ESA is approved and you've reached 80+ Parent OVR:
Step 1: Lock in Your SSC
Pay a $100 deposit to confirm your spot with your chosen SSC.
| What the $100 Covers |
|---|
| $75 → Training Credits (your child can use these) |
| $25 → 100 for 100 donation fund (athlete-funded academic prizes) |
Why the deposit? Each SSC works with only 100 students. The deposit confirms your child's spot with that specific coach.
Step 2: Complete Enrollment Paperwork
- Student information form
- Emergency contacts
- Technology setup confirmation
- Training Credits preferences
Step 3: Join the ISP Community
- Access the parent Facebook group
- Meet your child's pod (4-5 other students)
- Get added to communication channels
Phase 5: Get Ready (July - August)
July 15: ESA Funds Arrive
Your first disbursement (~$3,994) hits the Odyssey platform. ISP tuition is automatically paid — you don't need to do anything.
July - August: Onboarding
| Week | Activity |
|---|---|
| Late July | Student account setup, MyPath introduction |
| Early August | First pod call with SSC and podmates |
| Week before school | Technology check, workspace confirmation, schedule planning |
| First day (~Aug 20) | School starts! |
First Day Checklist
- Device charged and ready
- Quiet workspace set up
- Internet connection tested
- MyPath account active
- Know your SSC's contact info
- Know your pod call time
What If You Miss a Deadline?
Missed the June 30 ESA Deadline
You can still enroll at ISP, but you'll need to pay tuition out-of-pocket until the next ESA cycle. Contact us to discuss options.
Missed the September 30 Enrollment Deadline
September 30 is the last day to enroll and receive ESA funds for the current school year. After this date, you'll need to wait until the following year's ESA cycle (applications open April).
Started Late in the School Year
ISP accepts rolling enrollment. If you join mid-year:
- You'll choose from SSCs who have capacity
- You'll join an existing pod or form a new one
- Curriculum picks up from your current level (mastery-based = no "catching up")
FAQ
Q: When should I start the MyParent journey?
A: Anytime! The earlier you start, the more time you have to reach 80 OVR before the ESA window opens. March is ideal.
Q: Can I apply for ESA before creating a MyParent account?
A: Yes. ESA is a state program — you don't need to be enrolled at ISP to apply. But we recommend doing both in parallel.
Q: What if my ESA application is denied?
A: Rare, but it happens if residency documentation is incomplete. You can resubmit with corrected documents.
Q: Do I need to reapply for ESA every year?
A: Yes. ESA applications happen annually (April-June window each year).
Q: Can I enroll multiple children?
A: Yes. Each child gets their own ESA allocation and their own SSC.
Q: What's the absolute last day to enroll for Fall 2026?
A: September 30, 2026 is the last day to enroll and still receive ESA funds for the 2026-27 school year.
Timeline Summary
- Now → March 1 — Explore ISP, ask questions
- March 1 — ISP applications open
- April 16 — ESA applications open
- June 30 — ESA application deadline
- July 15 — ESA funds arrive
- August ~20 — School starts
- September 30 — Last day to enroll
The most important dates: April 16 (ESA opens) and June 30 (ESA closes).
Questions?
- Email: hello@iowasportsprep.com
- ESA Questions: Iowa ESA Guide →
- How ISP Works: Overview →
- FAQ: All Questions →