Can MD residents enter DC charter lottery?

[Anonymous]

This is one reason why the poor children in DC can't get a break. I paid out-of state tuition in MD but I applied with my DC address going in. The requirement in MD is the same as DC; must have space available. It is unfortunate that people read the rules as "anything goes" in DC. The point is, if you apply with a DC address and you get a lottery spot; you have taken the spot away from a legal resident who the school was established for. If you decide not to move here and give up your spot, chances are the DC resident will have enrolled somewhere that was not there first choice by the time they are contacted. That is why the waitlist moves so quickly in the summer once a spot opens up. It's sad that people are always trying to game the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No.

Ignore the PP, OP.

There is no rule that stipulates that lottery applicants be DC residents at the time of the lottery

You can enter the lottery using your MD address, but it is unlikely you will get spot. Even if you do, there is a chance that the DC residents who apply to the school after the lottery cut-off will be admitted before you are.

Instead, enter the lottery using the address of your DC rental property. If you get a spot, you will have to move back to DC before the cut-off date for residency verification. If you decide not to move back into your rental property, you can use your new DC address to prove residency.

You are utterly full of crap. Every charter I applied to required that I provide a DC address AND proof of residency. Bottom line OP is that DC public charter schools are for the children of DC residents. Sorry. If you don't like it, move to DC.

+1....we applied to over 12 charters via the lottery and were never booted out of the process for our VA residence. We were actually in the process of buying a home in DC, but had not closed on it at the time of the lottery. Our son was offered a space at 2 schools immediately after the lottery and by the time we got word we had moved into our new home in the city and met the residency requirement.

Nonsense. No charter that we've applied to required proof of residency to enter the lottery. Proof of residency was only needed when we were offered a decided to accept a spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is one reason why the poor children in DC can't get a break. I paid out-of state tuition in MD but I applied with my DC address going in. The requirement in MD is the same as DC; must have space available. It is unfortunate that people read the rules as "anything goes" in DC. The point is, if you apply with a DC address and you get a lottery spot; you have taken the spot away from a legal resident who the school was established for. If you decide not to move here and give up your spot, chances are the DC resident will have enrolled somewhere that was not there first choice by the time they are contacted. That is why the waitlist moves so quickly in the summer once a spot opens up. It's sad that people are always trying to game the system.

They don't pay taxes into that system, either, so they're taking money away from those who need it most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had no problem entering the lottery with an out of state address. I did the applications then called each school to explain we were moving in to DC. In fact we got a spot at a coveted charter in the lottery but didn't actually move to DC until August. When we were notified I simply called the school and told them our situation- they were fine with it. When we came house hunting in June we went by the school and introduced myself. They were completely pleasant and said we will see you when school starts. When we had the address (about a week before school started) I completely forgot to tell the school. First day of school my child had name tag, on class roll, etc. I went and filled out my paperwork with our new address and we were done. Easy.

Yeah, but did you move into town? Do you pay DC taxes? Because taxes are how you pay for the school, except if you pay tuition,which I presume you won't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had no problem entering the lottery with an out of state address. I did the applications then called each school to explain we were moving in to DC. In fact we got a spot at a coveted charter in the lottery but didn't actually move to DC until August. When we were notified I simply called the school and told them our situation- they were fine with it. When we came house hunting in June we went by the school and introduced myself. They were completely pleasant and said we will see you when school starts. When we had the address (about a week before school started) I completely forgot to tell the school. First day of school my child had name tag, on class roll, etc. I went and filled out my paperwork with our new address and we were done. Easy.

I think there is a perceived difference between someone coming from so far away that they are clearly moving to DC for the school year because commuting would be impossible, vs. someone who could say they're moving and then stay in MD and commute.

But more importantly, what year did you apply with your out of state addy PP? Things have changed in just the last year and will change again this coming year, so honestly, OP and others would be taking big chances relying on what happened in the past with this. What year did you move to DC and apply with an out of state addy?

Last year for the 2012/2013 school year.

Well, by now OP should know what she wants to do. I wish all the folks who are moving to DC no matter what (and by enrollment), and all the current DC residents the best of luck in the DCPS and PCSB DC lotteries. Everyone else... karma will sort you all out.

... and you too. Karma works that way: what comes around, goes around, so reserve your judgment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had no problem entering the lottery with an out of state address. I did the applications then called each school to explain we were moving in to DC. In fact we got a spot at a coveted charter in the lottery but didn't actually move to DC until August. When we were notified I simply called the school and told them our situation- they were fine with it. When we came house hunting in June we went by the school and introduced myself. They were completely pleasant and said we will see you when school starts. When we had the address (about a week before school started) I completely forgot to tell the school. First day of school my child had name tag, on class roll, etc. I went and filled out my paperwork with our new address and we were done. Easy.

The OP doesn't want to move to DC, the only reason they are asking is because they only would if they got in the lottery, as prior post stated the intent is different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had no problem entering the lottery with an out of state address. I did the applications then called each school to explain we were moving in to DC. In fact we got a spot at a coveted charter in the lottery but didn't actually move to DC until August. When we were notified I simply called the school and told them our situation- they were fine with it. When we came house hunting in June we went by the school and introduced myself. They were completely pleasant and said we will see you when school starts. When we had the address (about a week before school started) I completely forgot to tell the school. First day of school my child had name tag, on class roll, etc. I went and filled out my paperwork with our new address and we were done. Easy.

The OP doesn't want to move to DC, the only reason they are asking is because they only would if they got in the lottery, as prior post stated the intent is different.

You know what, problem solved: Take the time to fill out the application, state your truthful current address and say you have a rental address in DC and that you would be willing to move to if you got a slot. As you've been honest with your application, as you were with us, you have no need to fear karma if you get a slot.

Namaste

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks again, everybody. I think we'll apply with the MD address and see what happens. I'd actually LOVE to move back to DC. Lived there for 15 years but got priced out to PG county when we needed more space.

[Anonymous]

I just reported a family I suspect lived in MD. It was right before the end of the school year so I am not sure what the outcome was. Be sure you actually move to DC before you enroll or you risk being reported

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I just reported a family I suspect lived in MD. It was right before the end of the school year so I am not sure what the outcome was. Be sure you actually move to DC before you enroll or you risk being reported

Good for you for reporting. A family was caught cheating at my school last year and they were kicked out. OP you are doing the right thing by applying from MD.

[Anonymous]

I want to thank parents who report suspected cheaters. The only way to preserve the minimal slots available to DC children is to not allow people to get away with stealing seats. That not only takes away from DC residents, but also creates a culture of secrecy that damages that children who are forced to lie. We simply have to say no to this and reporting is a way to change the status quo. Applause to all parents who take this seriously and do their parts. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is one reason why the poor children in DC can't get a break. I paid out-of state tuition in MD but I applied with my DC address going in. The requirement in MD is the same as DC; must have space available. It is unfortunate that people read the rules as "anything goes" in DC. The point is, if you apply with a DC address and you get a lottery spot; you have taken the spot away from a legal resident who the school was established for. If you decide not to move here and give up your spot, chances are the DC resident will have enrolled somewhere that was not there first choice by the time they are contacted. That is why the waitlist moves so quickly in the summer once a spot opens up. It's sad that people are always trying to game the system.

Totally, agreed with your point. people are always trying to game the system. I know of a lady who is gaming the system with two kids in DC school. She is using her parent's address.

[Anonymous]

On the residency app that you must fill out before ENROLLMENT, not application, the proof of ID is a paystub with DC payroll taxes taken out or DC TANF benefits. Must be current within 45 days of enrollment.

Alternatively, you can show a DC drivers license AND a DC utility bill (gas, water, electric only) in your name with a DC address.

Paying property taxes isn't enough to prove residency.

Most of the top charters aren't willing to get caught with non-tuition paying, non-residents on their rolls. PCSB is auditing files every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is one reason why the poor children in DC can't get a break. I paid out-of state tuition in MD but I applied with my DC address going in. The requirement in MD is the same as DC; must have space available. It is unfortunate that people read the rules as "anything goes" in DC. The point is, if you apply with a DC address and you get a lottery spot; you have taken the spot away from a legal resident who the school was established for. If you decide not to move here and give up your spot, chances are the DC resident will have enrolled somewhere that was not there first choice by the time they are contacted. That is why the waitlist moves so quickly in the summer once a spot opens up. It's sad that people are always trying to game the system.

Totally, agreed with your point. people are always trying to game the system. I know of a lady who is gaming the system with two kids in DC school. She is using her parent's address.

So did you report them?

[Anonymous]

If you have no intention of moving, but just want to avail yourself of a charter school. You have to pay. Here's what we did. We participated in the lottery and the school we wanted to pay "out of state" tuition. We were immediately given the last place on the wait list. We waited for the wait list to whittle down. As soon as our number was called we sprinted down to the school and fully enrolled. You have to do this quickly, because if a DC resident shows up you go behind them UNLESS you are fully enrolled. The school then sets up a mechanism for you to make payments which get send to OSSE, part of which is sent back to the charter to pay for your kid's services. In our case it worked because we were at a newer school. Once you're enrolled, they can't kick you out for a DC resident, and you're in for life as long as you keep paying. It's about 12K.