APS Elementary Option Schools- explain how application/lottery works?

[Anonymous]

We are new to APS and thinking of applying to one of the option schools (ATS). I'm completely clueless to how this all works so hoping someone can dumb it down and explain! What all is involved in the application? Do they choose a certian amount of kids from certain neighborhoods (or your zoned elementary schools)? Or is it completely random?

[Anonymous]

https://www.apsva.us/school-options/

Literally everything is here. Fill out the application(opens Feb 1), select the schools that you want to enter the lotteries for, sit back and wait until the lottery is over to see if you are offered a spot or are on the waitlist.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks, but I don't see what is required for the application. Is it just providing Sally's name and home address? I'm assuming it's that simple.
Also, my understanding for some of the middle/HS option schools is that a certain number of spaces are open to each neighborhood school, i.e., for HB Woodland, there are 2 slots for discovery, 2 for Nottingham, and so on, so only 2 students from Discovery get accepted into the program (or are accepted from the lottery), and then 2 students from Nottingham get accepted, etc. Is this the same for the elementary option?

[Anonymous]

It’s not an application, it’s just entering a lottery. Yes it is mostly random, since you are new. There are some preferences (kids in VPI, siblings of kids enrolled in the school) for elementary. Twins are admitted or rejected together.

You can enter all the K lotteries, but personally I’d focus on the pathways you are most interested in. Ex: do Immersion because you are committed to your kids learning Spanish or go for Campbell or Montessori because their teaching style appeals to your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not an application, it’s just entering a lottery. Yes it is mostly random, since you are new. There are some preferences (kids in VPI, siblings of kids enrolled in the school) for elementary. Twins are admitted or rejected together.

You can enter all the K lotteries, but personally I’d focus on the pathways you are most interested in. Ex: do Immersion because you are committed to your kids learning Spanish or go for Campbell or Montessori because their teaching style appeals to your kid.

They call it an application- it's written all over the website.

[Anonymous]

There will be about 30 or fewer spots for ATS. Odds are about 3% annually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks, but I don't see what is required for the application. Is it just providing Sally's name and home address? I'm assuming it's that simple.
Also, my understanding for some of the middle/HS option schools is that a certain number of spaces are open to each neighborhood school, i.e., for HB Woodland, there are 2 slots for discovery, 2 for Nottingham, and so on, so only 2 students from Discovery get accepted into the program (or are accepted from the lottery), and then 2 students from Nottingham get accepted, etc. Is this the same for the elementary option?

Yes they are going to want the kids name, address, birthdate, grade entering- all of that. It is separate from school registration which you have to do at your home school or wait until after the lottery to register.

No, there are no allotments for option elementary schools. There are preferences for siblings/VPI students, Montessori pulls from their satellite classrooms and Immersion has separate lotteries for English and Spanish speaking students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks, but I don't see what is required for the application. Is it just providing Sally's name and home address? I'm assuming it's that simple.
Also, my understanding for some of the middle/HS option schools is that a certain number of spaces are open to each neighborhood school, i.e., for HB Woodland, there are 2 slots for discovery, 2 for Nottingham, and so on, so only 2 students from Discovery get accepted into the program (or are accepted from the lottery), and then 2 students from Nottingham get accepted, etc. Is this the same for the elementary option?

Yes they are going to want the kids name, address, birthdate, grade entering- all of that. It is separate from school registration which you have to do at your home school or wait until after the lottery to register.

No, there are no allotments for option elementary schools. There are preferences for siblings/VPI students, Montessori pulls from their satellite classrooms and Immersion has separate lotteries for English and Spanish speaking students.

I would note that you don’t actually have to be a resident of Arlington yet to enter the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks, but I don't see what is required for the application. Is it just providing Sally's name and home address? I'm assuming it's that simple.
Also, my understanding for some of the middle/HS option schools is that a certain number of spaces are open to each neighborhood school, i.e., for HB Woodland, there are 2 slots for discovery, 2 for Nottingham, and so on, so only 2 students from Discovery get accepted into the program (or are accepted from the lottery), and then 2 students from Nottingham get accepted, etc. Is this the same for the elementary option?

Yes they are going to want the kids name, address, birthdate, grade entering- all of that. It is separate from school registration which you have to do at your home school or wait until after the lottery to register.

No, there are no allotments for option elementary schools. There are preferences for siblings/VPI students, Montessori pulls from their satellite classrooms and Immersion has separate lotteries for English and Spanish speaking students.

I would note that you don’t actually have to be a resident of Arlington yet to enter the lottery.

This is correct.

[Anonymous]

Op here- thank you for all the info. This is all very helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not an application, it’s just entering a lottery. Yes it is mostly random, since you are new. There are some preferences (kids in VPI, siblings of kids enrolled in the school) for elementary. Twins are admitted or rejected together.

You can enter all the K lotteries, but personally I’d focus on the pathways you are most interested in. Ex: do Immersion because you are committed to your kids learning Spanish or go for Campbell or Montessori because their teaching style appeals to your kid.

They call it an application- it's written all over the website.

Yes I realize that. My point was more that you aren’t really putting together an application like you would for a job or a college. You are just entering your name. But my word choice was clumsy.

[Anonymous]

Are there any other groups that get priority? For example kids with documented special needs that would be better served by one of the option schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other groups that get priority? For example kids with documented special needs that would be better served by one of the option schools?

Nope. I'm curious what school and what special needs you think this should be applicable to.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other groups that get priority? For example kids with documented special needs that would be better served by one of the option schools?

VPI (for lower income folks) and siblings. ATS parents breed like bunnies. Lots of siblings. Of the 4 incoming classroooms, 3-worth will be filled with siblings. Maybe the statistics are easier to understand that way. hundreds of first borns are aiming for 25 - 30 seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other groups that get priority? For example kids with documented special needs that would be better served by one of the option schools?

Nope. I'm curious what school and what special needs you think this should be applicable to.....

The double-down-ing on literacy is great for ESL and kids with language-based disorders. But they don't get priority.