Lottery

What:

CA has an open enrollment policy and fills spots on a first come, first served basis. Applications received after CA has reached full enrollment are put into a lottery/waiting list. When CA has openings, it conducts a blind drawing to determine where on the wait list each child is placed.

Why:

Because demand to attend CA exceeds the school’s capacity, CA conducts a lottery in accordance with state laws.

How:

• The Principal, Director of Academics and Student Recruitment Coordinator (SRC) set the dates for lotteries after the open enrollment period has closed. Lotteries are generally held after each Parent Information Session, or after two sessions have been completed. CA has determined that holding more lotteries is helpful for proactive parents. Proactive parents are also committed parents. (LINK 2010-2011 CALENDAR)
• CA holds lotteries only if there are children on the waiting list for any given grade.
• CA holds lotteries for each grade level
• The Principal, Director of Academics, and SRC write applicant names on pieces of paper, place the names in an opaque bag or container and then pull the names from the container one by one and record them in order.
• CA gives priority to siblings. If a child is accepted and his sibling is on the waiting list, then CA moves the sibling to the top of the list in an effort to keep families together.
• CA also gives priority to children living in Cleveland.
• CA contacts parents and sends acceptance documents (LINK)