Anonymous wrote:We got LAMB and our #3 pick. I do know people who got their top choice. I know others who've gotten nothing repeatedly. It is so clearly a broken system which seems to have no good other option...

When the demand for certain schools so vastly outweighs the # of spots available, there is NO good other option and this is the best it's been in DC from a fairness point of view.

So given the demand, I don't see how it's "broken". But I do see how there need to be a far higher number of desirable school choices for DC families, which is old news.

We got our first child in Stokes on the first try for PreK4, but that was from a waitlist.

My kid got into LAMB plus our first choice in the common lottery. but honestly 3 years later I kinda wish we hadn't gotten in anywhere and moved to the 'burbs (and I NEVER thought I would say that). The school is fine but likely not as good as what we would have in Chevy Chase or NoVa and I think we end up driving more living in the city because we have to drive the kids to school. So for those of you who strike out, it may be a blessing in disguise if you can afford to move!

My friends got into a DCPS Montessori their first time playing the lottery, when oldest was Pre3. They also got into two other of their top picks, too, before the common lottery. Chose the Montessori and have been there for 5 years, 2nd one there now.

We got our first pick. I’m assuming for the schools with long wait lists almost everyone there put it as a first choice, right?

Anonymous wrote:We got in to Janney, Yu Ying and Mundo Verde for PK4 for twins. This was before the common lottery.

Wow! that is luck, even with twins.

We got in to Janney, Yu Ying and Mundo Verde for PK4 for twins. This was before the common lottery.

My kids go to a JKLM school and I know families that got their children in through the lottery in K and 1st grade. I assume that was extreme lottery luck.