Please walk me through the public school system in the US
April 11, 2019 3:16 PM Subscribe
I was not born and raised in this country, and would like clear answers on some questions re: the public school system here. (For now, we live in Los Angeles and are thinking of moving to the Torrance or Redondo Beach school districts.)
My son turned 3 years old on February 11, 2019. He is currently at a lovely private preschool, which we plan to keep him in until he's 5. Since we don't live in the school district we'd like to enroll him in, we would most likely have to go the lottery or permit route for kindergarten. I am unclear as to how these work, what the timelines (in broad strokes are) and how stressed out I need to be about all of this. Reading things online has me confused, so I am turning to the hive mind. Sorry for being an ignoramus.
1. Typically, when would enrollment begin for the 2021-22 school year? He will be 5 in September 2021.
2. If you're not in your district of choice, and want a different school than the one to which you are assigned, what are your options for enrollment in a preferred school? Do you have to be IN your district of choice to apply to a lottery system for a particular school, or does that depend on the district or particular school?
3. If you're already in your district of choice, do you apply for the lottery/intra-district permit during enrollment, or prior to it?
4. Can you apply to multiple schools that have a lottery system in the hope of getting into one?
5. Do you have to re-apply for a lottery or permit to transfer every year? Or just from elementary to middle to high school?
6. If you rent a house near your preferred school, and thereafter buy a house elsewhere in the district with a different assigned school, do you have to request a transfer?
7. What are the nuances to enrollment in schools other than your assigned school? I realize my questions are quite simple, and I'm probably making broad generalizations, but I would appreciate anecdotal insights on your experiences with the public school lottery system and permit transfers.
8. Typically, how successful are lottery and permit transfers? Which one is more likely to succeed?
9. Online resources for (understandably this greatly appreciated, especially measures of diversity
It's likely that most school districts have specific timelines for enrollment, etc, but generalized responses are fine. Please feel free to point out information I've missed or assumptions I've made.
I am aware that some people view these outlets as 'gaming' a system, or taking a place away from a deserving child. I respect your opinions, but would prefer to not start a debate on these issues as I am primarily seeking information. Goes without saying that I'm not planning on making up addresses or doing anything illegal.
My son turned 3 years old on February 11, 2019. He is currently at a lovely private preschool, which we plan to keep him in until he's 5. Since we don't live in the school district we'd like to enroll him in, we would most likely have to go the lottery or permit route for kindergarten. I am unclear as to how these work, what the timelines (in broad strokes are) and how stressed out I need to be about all of this. Reading things online has me confused, so I am turning to the hive mind. Sorry for being an ignoramus.
1. Typically, when would enrollment begin for the 2021-22 school year? He will be 5 in September 2021.
2. If you're not in your district of choice, and want a different school than the one to which you are assigned, what are your options for enrollment in a preferred school? Do you have to be IN your district of choice to apply to a lottery system for a particular school, or does that depend on the district or particular school?
3. If you're already in your district of choice, do you apply for the lottery/intra-district permit during enrollment, or prior to it?
4. Can you apply to multiple schools that have a lottery system in the hope of getting into one?
5. Do you have to re-apply for a lottery or permit to transfer every year? Or just from elementary to middle to high school?
6. If you rent a house near your preferred school, and thereafter buy a house elsewhere in the district with a different assigned school, do you have to request a transfer?
7. What are the nuances to enrollment in schools other than your assigned school? I realize my questions are quite simple, and I'm probably making broad generalizations, but I would appreciate anecdotal insights on your experiences with the public school lottery system and permit transfers.
8. Typically, how successful are lottery and permit transfers? Which one is more likely to succeed?
9. Online resources for (understandably this greatly appreciated, especially measures of diversity
It's likely that most school districts have specific timelines for enrollment, etc, but generalized responses are fine. Please feel free to point out information I've missed or assumptions I've made.
I am aware that some people view these outlets as 'gaming' a system, or taking a place away from a deserving child. I respect your opinions, but would prefer to not start a debate on these issues as I am primarily seeking information. Goes without saying that I'm not planning on making up addresses or doing anything illegal.
This post was deleted for the following reason: poster's request -- cortex
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posted by Everydayville at 3:22 PM on April 11, 2019