lottery for pk4 while keeping a current spot

[Anonymous]

We are currently in (DC public) PK3 and would like to know if we can apply for the lottery without our current school being informed, while still retaining our spot for PK4. Our current school is not our top choice, but it is an acceptable option. We understand that schools need to be notified by April 1, and that lottery results are announced before this deadline. Could you clarify how this process works? thank you

[Anonymous]

You don't lose your spot unless you actually enroll in a different DCPS, or you fill out a withdrawal form.

[Anonymous]

OP here, but the school asked to notify them by April, 1. As far as I remember the waitlists spots become available up until October

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, but the school asked to notify them by April, 1. As far as I remember the waitlists spots become available up until October

That notification doesn't really matter -- it's not binding, it's just so the school can estimate how many kids to accept. You can always fill it out, and then enroll elsewhere. we did it once when we got a late lottery offer at a better school. It's ok.

[Anonymous]

(you will have to enroll at a school by May 1st -- you can enroll at your current school and still remain open to accepting another spot later. You'll be instantly unenrolled from the current school once you enroll at the new one.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, but the school asked to notify them by April, 1. As far as I remember the waitlists spots become available up until October

That is just a courtesy. Tell them yes.

[Anonymous]

OP here. So I can be enrolled in the current school (after May 1)and still be on a waitlist for other schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So I can be enrolled in the current school (after May 1)and still be on a waitlist for other schools?

Yes absolutely. Very common.

[Anonymous]

I think they for numbers estimates maybe tell the current school if you match elsewhere but even then you can decline the lottery spot and re-enroll/stay at your current school. The lottery and waitlists have no impact on your right to attend your current school until you actually enroll elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Also your current school could care less if you’re lotterying out. It happens often especially at the schools people feel ok about PK at but don’t stay much longer after that. Which I assume is what happens at your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they for numbers estimates maybe tell the current school if you match elsewhere but even then you can decline the lottery spot and re-enroll/stay at your current school. The lottery and waitlists have no impact on your right to attend your current school until you actually enroll elsewhere.

They do tell, but you don't lose your spot until you actually enroll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also your current school could care less if you’re lotterying out. It happens often especially at the schools people feel ok about PK at but don’t stay much longer after that. Which I assume is what happens at your school.

I mean, that's not true. Good principals care. We accepted a lotteried spot in PK4 and our principal at the time reached out and actually persuaded us to come back (and that ended up being a very good decision.) but agree that it's super common and you can go through this whole process without really talking about it too much -- once you enroll at the new school, you'll just be dropped from the roll at the current school instantly. And they will never know what your lottery list and waitlists look like at other schools.