APS Option School Lottery

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people get offered spots at more than 1 option school? I am used to DCPS who has a very systematic process where you only get offered at your highest choice.

Most people don’t but you could. However, once you accept your spot at a school, you are declining any other acceptances and drop off any other waitlists. There will be a lot more movement at the deadline for accepting initial offers. After that, if you come off the waitlist somewhere, you have a shorter amount of time to decide.

I did not realize this! We are waitlisted at my top choice, but accepted at another option school. I was hoping I could accept my second choice, but still stay on the waitlist for the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know how much movement the Spanish Dominant group makes. There are only 3 students that didn't get in and sadly we are one of them. It is unfortunate that APS only has one option for dual language and decided to decrease the number of students.

Oh no!!! I’m so sorry to hear this. We are a Spanish dominant family and have been told over and over again that the chances would be very high so it’s disappointing to hear this

Yes, we were told that too so I was beyond shocked to get waitlisted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My previous question about movement on the Spanish dominant lottery was in regards to Kindergarten by the way. We had to go to Syphax to get language testing which is required of all students who speak any language other than English.

So if a kid enters as Spanish dominant they make you go test at syphax??

Yes, it is to test their WIDA levels to see if they need support for English Language Learners. All APS students are tested who speak another language at home. It is not like some of the sought after DCPS dual language schools who test your Spanish skills and if your kid doesn't pass you lose your Spanish dominant spot and go to the bottom of the English dominant waitlist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know how much movement the Spanish Dominant group makes. There are only 3 students that didn't get in and sadly we are one of them. It is unfortunate that APS only has one option for dual language and decided to decrease the number of students.

Oh no!!! I’m so sorry to hear this. We are a Spanish dominant family and have been told over and over again that the chances would be very high so it’s disappointing to hear this

NP- I would be shocked if you are still on the wait list by the end of the summer. Try emailing the principal of the ES and let them know you're interested and a Spanish dominant family. Is it possible you checked the wrong box and the system has you as English dominant? Even if you don't get in for K there would be a very strong chance of you getting in for 1st. Kids move as jobs change. For my child now in 2nd grade I know of 2 kids whose family knew they were going to move after only 1 year at APS, and two more kids who moved after 1st grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know how much movement the Spanish Dominant group makes. There are only 3 students that didn't get in and sadly we are one of them. It is unfortunate that APS only has one option for dual language and decided to decrease the number of students.

Oh no!!! I’m so sorry to hear this. We are a Spanish dominant family and have been told over and over again that the chances would be very high so it’s disappointing to hear this

NP- I would be shocked if you are still on the wait list by the end of the summer. Try emailing the principal of the ES and let them know you're interested and a Spanish dominant family. Is it possible you checked the wrong box and the system has you as English dominant? Even if you don't get in for K there would be a very strong chance of you getting in for 1st. Kids move as jobs change. For my child now in 2nd grade I know of 2 kids whose family knew they were going to move after only 1 year at APS, and two more kids who moved after 1st grade.

Thanks for the advice and hope! Yes I’m positive he is listed as Spanish dominant as it says it in the mint portal. 3 kids got waitlisted from Spanish dominant so we were just one of the unlucky ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people get offered spots at more than 1 option school? I am used to DCPS who has a very systematic process where you only get offered at your highest choice.

Most people don’t but you could. However, once you accept your spot at a school, you are declining any other acceptances and drop off any other waitlists. There will be a lot more movement at the deadline for accepting initial offers. After that, if you come off the waitlist somewhere, you have a shorter amount of time to decide.

I did not realize this! We are waitlisted at my top choice, but accepted at another option school. I was hoping I could accept my second choice, but still stay on the waitlist for the other.

Nope, if you think you have a shot at your first choice, you have to turn down the other spot and wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are people already seeing movement on the waitlists or should I not expect to see any changes until May 16th?

You may see a little movement before then, but you will see the most the day the response window closes.

We applied in 2019, but we jumped a huge number at Claremont and got in the day the lottery closed. Granted, they had 6 K classes that year, and eventually cleared the entire 100+ person waitlist. I suspect there is less movement with only 4 K classes.

[Anonymous]

Is it normal that the Montessori lottery result is still not public? Has it happened in prior years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal that the Montessori lottery result is still not public? Has it happened in prior years?

It's not normal but APS posted last week that primary Montessori results would be released with VPI/PK results on May 6. Something about volume of applicants. It makes sense for them to be released with PK since it's primary Montessori classes include 3 and 4 year olds in addition to kindergarteners.

[Anonymous]

My DC is #15 on the waiting list for pre-K Montessori at Discovery. Is it safe to assume he won't get off that list?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how the waitlist is updated? Is it automatic through the system when someone declines a spot or is someone manually refreshing? I’m not seeing much movement or updated dates. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know how the waitlist is updated? Is it automatic through the system when someone declines a spot or is someone manually refreshing? I’m not seeing much movement or updated dates. Thanks

At this point it's automatic- someone declines a spot= waitlist moves one. Someone is sitting on waitlists but accepts a spot at another school= people behind them on the waitlist move up one. etc. There will be more movement once this initial period is over and comes in waves as I think when offered a spot from the waitlist, you have a week to decide before they move to the next person.
In August, the schools take over control and they usually shorten the window you have to decide since they want class lists to be set before school starts.

[Anonymous]

I'm curious how the waitlist moved for everyone. What number did the Claremont waitlist get to after decision were due?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious how the waitlist moved for everyone. What number did the Claremont waitlist get to after decision were due?

We moved about 10 slots on Claremont. Not as many as I would have expected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious how the waitlist moved for everyone. What number did the Claremont waitlist get to after decision were due?

We moved about 10 slots on Claremont. Not as many as I would have expected.

People are desperate to get out of their overstretched neighborhood schools. Clarement filters for engaged parents first step.