Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks, everyone, for a good conversation on what I recognize is a very hot button topic!

Let’s stipulate that we would be DC residents by the time of enrollment. I have zero interest in being a residency cheat.

That said, I am having trouble finding documentation on what actually is allowed.

Option one would be to apply using the MD address where we currently reside. From what folks are saying, it sounds like this is allowed and perfectly legal (comparable to moving from Chicago); however, we’d be unlikely to get in anywhere competitive due to the lottery preference rules. Can anyone provide a link to those rules?

Option two would be to apply using the DC address, which we own but where we do not currently reside. Sounds like this is a grey area – it is not strictly speaking illegal but is considered fairly shady.

Is that about right?

What the hell is wrong with you, are you moving to DC or not? If you are going to use an address you don't live at just to see if you a slot and then attempt to move your are a cheat and a liar. Got it!!! The only gray are is in your brain, your "intention" and you can convince yourself any which way you want that it is legal, which you seem determined to do so go for it and karma be damned.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks, everyone, for a good conversation on what I recognize is a very hot button topic!

Let’s stipulate that we would be DC residents by the time of enrollment. I have zero interest in being a residency cheat.

That said, I am having trouble finding documentation on what actually is allowed.

Option one would be to apply using the MD address where we currently reside. From what folks are saying, it sounds like this is allowed and perfectly legal (comparable to moving from Chicago); however, we’d be unlikely to get in anywhere competitive due to the lottery preference rules. Can anyone provide a link to those rules?

Option two would be to apply using the DC address, which we own but where we do not currently reside. Sounds like this is a grey area – it is not strictly speaking illegal but is considered fairly shady.

Is that about right?

Using your DC addy where you do not currently reside IS illegal. There is no confusion about it, the application asks for your current address. BUT, some schools apparently say that if you will be moving to DC and already have an address, use that one. So while it is not playing by the rules especially because you live in MD (and not Chicago or Houston, where it's obviously impossible for you to commute to DC for school), apparently some schools say they'll still count you if you move before enrollment.

But it is, absolutely, illegal with regard to DCPS and PCSB rules to apply using an address you don't live at. It's especially egregious because people do commute from MD and you'd just be doing it to get the residency edge on your chances, not because you are otherwise actually intending to move to DC because you want to live in DC.

PP that was me, moved here from NY. Called DCPS and DC charter board and both said to use address we were going to live in on application. OP, I would suggest calling them or even the schools you apply to and find out the skinny. Also want to add that I know someone that lives in MD and pays tuition at a hot charter. This happened because at the time it was brand new charter and no waiting list. Just like Bridges and Sela have openings now. 2 years from now people will never believe that a MD resident actually attends legally.

Since you are applying with the intention of moving into the rental once you get a spot, just use the rental address. There has been no case of people who lost their place at a charter or been prosecuted b/c at the time they entered the lottery, they lived elsewhere. As long as your family are residents by enrollment, you'll be fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To answer OPs question, yes you may enter the lottery while residing outside the district. Upon acceptance and enrollment you just provide proof of residency. I personally know of three families who did at YY. Actually, the Washington Post did a story on one of the parents who moved his family from Chicago once his son was offered a spot off the wait list. I know of another family that sold their home in Upper Marlboro and rented a house in DC until they found something to purchase two years later. I would think there are other stories out there like that.

The question is: what address did the Chicago family use to apply? Did they tell the truth on the app, or use a DC addy and move quickly when they got in? And what year was this?

Bottom line: beware lying on your form. If your kid doesn't go home to and sleep at your application address most nights of the week/month/year, you risk getting booted. And DEFINITELY by enrollment time that's true. Simple as that. And believe it - almost all cheaters who get caught and booted thought they'd never get caught.

I think this is tainted by the fact that this person lives in Maryland.

Do you really think that a family who is relocating to the DC area from say Ohio, should not be able to apply to get their child into school by the lottery deadline because they have not physically completed the move when it is clear a move will happen? Let's just say dad has a temporary apartment. Kids are still in Ohio so they have not slept a night in DC. The lottery deadline is x date, they move date for the kids will not be until the summer to avoid pulling their kids out of their old school early, people are really suggesting they just sit out a year?

I get the disdain for cheaters but really. If they are physically residents by the enrollment date it would be a ludicrous waste of money to try to go after them.

OP here. Thanks, everyone, for a good conversation on what I recognize is a very hot button topic!

Let’s stipulate that we would be DC residents by the time of enrollment. I have zero interest in being a residency cheat.

That said, I am having trouble finding documentation on what actually is allowed.

Option one would be to apply using the MD address where we currently reside. From what folks are saying, it sounds like this is allowed and perfectly legal (comparable to moving from Chicago); however, we’d be unlikely to get in anywhere competitive due to the lottery preference rules. Can anyone provide a link to those rules?

Option two would be to apply using the DC address, which we own but where we do not currently reside. Sounds like this is a grey area – it is not strictly speaking illegal but is considered fairly shady.

Is that about right?

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, 9:43! Super helpful. That's exactly what I was envisioning.

9:43's information was incorrect and the time to prove residency was actually two weeks ago.

Anonymous wrote:OP indicated she will move if offered a spot. She and her child will be DC residents. No cheating involved.

You have to be a resident before you enter the lottery. That's the point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, non-residents can attend if they pay the tuition cost.

Sure they can. . .for spots that are not and will not be available. Show me one reputable charter that hasn't had a waiting list of actual DC residents in recent years. I dare you.

If you commit fraud to get in by using a rental address when your true residence is in MD, you're committing fraud: a crime for which you can be prosecuted.

So had anyone been prosecuted for it?

Anonymous wrote:Agree that the PP would not be doing anything wrong by using the rental address to apply, but it feels sketchy to me. I hope that out-of-staters don't make a habit of this.

It's fraud and it's illegal. You have to use your primary address, i.e., the home you live/sleep in and where you actually spend your time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, non-residents can attend if they pay the tuition cost.

Sure they can. . .for spots that are not and will not be available. Show me one reputable charter that hasn't had a waiting list of actual DC residents in recent years. I dare you.

If you commit fraud to get in by using a rental address when your true residence is in MD, you're committing fraud: a crime for which you can be prosecuted.

^Ehhhh. You are reaching. PCSB has it's hands full dealing with non-residents. Doubtful anyone will go after people like OP. And even if they do, it'll only result in law suits with the probable outcome that the kid - current DC resident - staying at the school. Not worth it.

Agree that the PP would not be doing anything wrong by using the rental address to apply, but it feels sketchy to me. I hope that out-of-staters don't make a habit of this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP indicated she will move if offered a spot. She and her child will be DC residents. No cheating involved.

If she moves to DC by enrollment of course it's fine. Just skeptical they will REALLY do this.

Define "fine"? If they move to DC by enrollment it may be much less likely they'll be busted, but it's only "fine" if you see no problem in lying your way into consideration as a DC resident when you're not. And I don't think you realize just how serious investigations into application inaccuracies is about to get.

And if, as you suspect, OP never really moves, then you're right, that is likely to get OP totally busted.

Do you really think charters will bust students who are current DC residents b/c at the time they applied they were not? Technically they lied on the application by using their future DC address but I seriously doubt they be booted as long as they are actual DC residents when they enrolled.

To really break the cheating, PCSB knows they need to go to the root. If you apply with your true non-DC addy, you are highly unlikely to get in. Cheaters know that, even if they intend to move to DC after getting a spot, they are gaming the system by lying their way into the DC resident consideration when they are not residents.

PCSB knows that to really address this requires coming down hard on both those who never move to DC, as well as those who lie on their applications in order to look like DC residents for resident consideration.

Knowing how seriously this is being taken, me, I wouldn't risk lying. If OP lies and uses her rental addy and that is somehow discovered, even after she moves to DC for enrollment, does she think saying "But someone on DCUM said it would be fine!" Is gonna keep her kid's spot?

Does the person who gets made an example ever anticipate being busted and made that example?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP indicated she will move if offered a spot. She and her child will be DC residents. No cheating involved.

If she moves to DC by enrollment of course it's fine. Just skeptical they will REALLY do this.

Define "fine"? If they move to DC by enrollment it may be much less likely they'll be busted, but it's only "fine" if you see no problem in lying your way into consideration as a DC resident when you're not. And I don't think you realize just how serious investigations into application inaccuracies is about to get.

And if, as you suspect, OP never really moves, then you're right, that is likely to get OP totally busted.

Do you really think charters will bust students who are current DC residents b/c at the time they applied they were not? Technically they lied on the application by using their future DC address but I seriously doubt they be booted as long as they are actual DC residents when they enrolled.