I think the "walking distance" designation is 500 yards... but I could be wrong.

Anonymous wrote:Order of preference:

Inbounds with sibling
Inbounds with no sibling
Out of Bounds with sibling
Out of Bounds with proximity
Out of Bounds

Within each category, determined by random computer generated list

Starting at K, guaranteed admission if Inbounds

A point of clarification - these are not weightings as OP asked - these are straight up categorieis for how the list is created.

An order is created for all children who are inbounds with a sibling
The next group is children who are inbounds without a sibling

For out of bounds with proximity, for each school this designation is defined so you are either in this group or not - and all individuals in the group are treated the same way for lottery purposes - there is not weighting - those within 1/2 mile, 1 mile etc

Order of preference:

Inbounds with sibling
Inbounds with no sibling
Out of Bounds with sibling
Out of Bounds with proximity
Out of Bounds

Within each category, determined by random computer generated list

Starting at K, guaranteed admission if Inbounds

It sound like you have a good grasp on the situation already. Having siblings at the school can be a factor in your favor at an immersion school. Other than that, I believe it is a random computer generated drawing for most schools.

Please explain the lottery to me like I am stupid. So far, my understanding is that you are guaranteed your in-bound school for K and up. For PS/PK, you have to apply through the lottery even for you in-bounds school.

What are the factors that they use to weight your entry in the lottery? Eg, does being close to the school count?

Is there historical data that will let me understand my chances in the lottery?