Is H-B Woodlawn really a lottery?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone knows that HB uses the lottery system, but for many years I've noticed only a certain type of kid gets admitted. I have 3 kids, all of whom attended local public elementary schools. For each of their 6th grade entry years, we applied them. However, the closest any of my kids has gotten is 7th on the waitlist. I also applied them all periodically in other years, just to take the shot. None of my smart, well-rounded kids ever get in. But the kids who went to HB out of our local elementary school (and subsequent MS) all share similar characteristics: artsy, theatre kid type, not necessarily mainstream, an older sibling also goes, etc. Interestingly enough, HB has a strong theatre program but no sports. Many of our neighborhood friends and their kids also apply and notice the same pattern. Why could this be? Is HB a true lottery?

my kid got in and is not like this. One of the kids is also sporty, still went. The other two are smart and well rounded. The one outlier is they are all the older kid in the family or the only one.

[Anonymous]

My kid got in and would have been considered sporty at the time. After getting to HB, she tried out some of the theatre, and I guess became what you'd consider an "artsy" kid. Mostly because that's what was there, and that's what her friends did.

[Anonymous]

Ive always had a small thought that it's a conspiracy based on the parents not the kids: we know several kids whose moms were PTA president, one whose mom works for APS. But now that I think about the kids are all pretty artsy too...

[Anonymous]

No conspiracy. I know staff that didn't get lottery spots.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s just that proportionally more artsy kids apply. A lot of the sports kids know they wouldn’t want to attend because the only campus sport is ultimate frisbee and bussing out for sports can be a pain. Artsy kids don’t have that conflict so seems not crazy that more apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No conspiracy. I know staff that didn't get lottery spots.

staff? That’s hilarious. It would be wealthy connected families, not staff trodden on by the board

[Anonymous]

Hi OP: My name is Oz. While it is a true lottery, I do control it. Most children enter our esteemed school via a random lottery but there are conditions. Some of the "sporty" kids you mention are absolute jerks. While they are still, technically in the lottery, theirs will never be a low number. Similarly, there are some very sweet souled children in Arlington. Their spots tend to be lower numbered...something to do with weight of soul, I think.

You talk about a back door. Rarely will a wounded bird fly in through this really small hole at the top of the building but that will happen when another, not wounded bird, flies out at the same time. I don't know how those birds coordinate; it's always quite jarring when it happens.

And then there's money. If you can figure out who I am, please feel free to bribe me. However, like Edwin Edwards, the greatest governor from Louisiana since Louis P. Long, said "it's not a bribe if I do not do what you paid me to do."

[Anonymous]

It’s a lottery but per another thread there is also a waiver process. Likely some people you know who tell you their kids got in off the lottery actually used the waiver process. Just like some people who tell you that twins run in their family used IVF. People don’t necessarily want to invite potential judgement or follow up questions.

[Anonymous]

I know H-B is a terrific school, and I'm glad it's an option. It is NOT a fit for my rising 6th grader so I didn't even think about applying. So there's definitely some self-selection going on there.

We are at an Immersion school, so we already have a middle school track. That could be part of the reasoning too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a lottery but per another thread there is also a waiver process. Likely some people you know who tell you their kids got in off the lottery actually used the waiver process. Just like some people who tell you that twins run in their family used IVF. People don’t necessarily want to invite potential judgement or follow up questions.

Hasn't someone done this math? The number of spots from each elementary school is fixed and they report how many students enroll in 6th grade. What's the delta?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP: My name is Oz. While it is a true lottery, I do control it. Most children enter our esteemed school via a random lottery but there are conditions. Some of the "sporty" kids you mention are absolute jerks. While they are still, technically in the lottery, theirs will never be a low number. Similarly, there are some very sweet souled children in Arlington. Their spots tend to be lower numbered...something to do with weight of soul, I think.

You talk about a back door. Rarely will a wounded bird fly in through this really small hole at the top of the building but that will happen when another, not wounded bird, flies out at the same time. I don't know how those birds coordinate; it's always quite jarring when it happens.

And then there's money. If you can figure out who I am, please feel free to bribe me. However, like Edwin Edwards, the greatest governor from Louisiana since Louis P. Long, said "it's not a bribe if I do not do what you paid me to do."

WTF did I just read????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a lottery but per another thread there is also a waiver process. Likely some people you know who tell you their kids got in off the lottery actually used the waiver process. Just like some people who tell you that twins run in their family used IVF. People don’t necessarily want to invite potential judgement or follow up questions.

What's the waiver process?

[Anonymous]

You gotta shmooze with the right people. You need to be in the “in” crowd. The same thing applies if you want your kid in the gifted and talented program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You gotta shmooze with the right people. You need to be in the “in” crowd. The same thing applies if you want your kid in the gifted and talented program.

I don’t even think you have kids in APS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a lottery but per another thread there is also a waiver process. Likely some people you know who tell you their kids got in off the lottery actually used the waiver process. Just like some people who tell you that twins run in their family used IVF. People don’t necessarily want to invite potential judgement or follow up questions.

What's the waiver process?

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Website-Medical-or-Psycological-Administrative-Placement-Request.pdf