Student Transfer Lottery Details

The lottery system groups applications according to the lottery rules.  The groups are based on the factors below:

o   On-time applications are received by the first business day of September and due by the first business day of December for the following school year.   

o   Late applications are any application received after the first business day of December. 

o   All on-time applications will be selected from the lottery prior to late applications.

o   In-district is defined as:

        (1) Living in FUSD boundaries

        (2) Attending FUSD with an out-of-district transfer or

        (3) A FUSD employee’s child that lives outside of the district.

o   In-district applications have priority in the lottery over out-of-district applications

o   The school listed on the application as first choice has priority in the lottery.

The applications are grouped, then selected in the following sequences:

1.      On-time, in-district, first choice*

2.      On-time, in-district, second choice*

3.      On-time, out of district, first choice*

4.      On-time, out of district, second choice*

5.      Late applications will follow the same order as above.

*Specific school selection criteria if applicable.  For example: Yokomi - downtown employment. 

There must be space in the school before a lottery can be conducted.  Space is determined by several factors:

·         Neighborhood students that could move into the attendance zone

·         Staffing (the number of teachers at the school)

·         The bargaining agreement guidelines

·         Board Policy

·         Education Code

In the ATLAS Parent Portal, the application will remain in “Ready” status until it is selected through a lottery process. If lotteries have been held, the portal will display the number of lottery runs and the date of the most recent lottery.  

If a lottery has taken place and your application still shows “Ready,” it means your application was not selected in that lottery. However, there is no need to reapply. Applications that remain in “Ready” status are automatically included in future lotteries and remain active for the entire school year. 

Please note that a new application must be submitted for each school year. Applications do not carry over from one school year to the next.

When a student’s application is selected in the lottery the Transfers Department will notify the parent/guardian.  This placement offer is sent via voicemail, text, and email.  It is important that parents/guardians provide the school with the most up-to-date contact information to ensure this notification is received.  In the ATLAS Parent Portal, the application status will change to "Pending."  Accept or decline buttons will be available.  Parent/guardian must accept or decline the placement in ATLAS Parent Portal by the due date specified in the placement notification.  

If the student’s application is not selected in the lottery, the Transfers Department will email or mail a letter in June, explaining that space is not available. If space becomes available, the application will be in future lotteries for the rest of the school year.  The application status will stay at "Ready."  A new application is needed for the following school year. 

Click here to learn how to check application status.