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: living in FUSD boundaries, attending FUSD with an out-of-district transfer, or 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

Parents or guardians may check the status of the transfer application in the Atlas Parent Portal.  The Parent Portal will show if the application has been in a lottery and how many lotteries it has been in.  It will also show if the application was selected in a lottery.  School staff can provide information on this.

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.  Parent/guardian must accept or decline the placement by the due date specified.  If the parent/guardian has not responded a follow up phone call will be made. 

If the student’s application is not selected in the lottery, the Transfers Department will 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.  A new application is needed for the following school year.