Lottery Process

BACKGROUND

To address growing student enrolment and a shortage of school space, Edmonton Public Schools has implemented a lottery process for three schools in the Division:

The lottery process will only impact new students coming to these schools. Students who are currently enrolled in one of these schools can still attend. Each grade will be capped at a certain number of classes, depending on the school’s enrolment limit. This will ensure enrolment does not exceed the available space at these schools.

SIBLINGS AND THE LOTTERY PROCESS

If both siblings will be attending the same lottery school for 2021-22, and both have registered or pre-enrolled by April 15:

siblings who are new to the school and pre-enrolling in Grades K-9 will be given priority
they are not guaranteed to attend if there is not enough space at their grade level
if this occurs, siblings can take part in the lottery process if they wish to attend the school

HOW THE LOTTERY PROCESS WORKS

DURING PRE-ENROLMENT

Students who are in the designated attendance area for a school with a lottery process have two options:

Students should register (new students to Edmonton Public Schools) or pre-enrol (students currently enrolled at another Edmonton Public School) at their designated school if they wish to be part of the lottery process. Students who did not get into their designated school through the lottery will be put on a callback list
Students can choose to register or pre-enrol at their overflow designated school if they don’t want to be part of the lottery process. They can also call their designated school and asked to be placed on the callback list if spaces in planned classes open up.

Schools with a lottery will not accept registrations from new families moving into the attendance area if the student is not considered a resident of Edmonton Public Schools. Students are considered a ‘resident student’ if at least one parent or guardian lives in Edmonton and at least one parent is not Roman Catholic. New non-resident students in the school’s attendance area can attend a school in their current school division or another Edmonton Public school that has space in planned classes.

ONCE PRE-ENROLMENT CLOSES

If the number of new students is higher than the cap for a specific grade, the lottery process will be used. This only applies to new students.
Division administration will conduct the lottery on behalf of the schools.
The school will notify families about the lottery results before the end of April.
Students who do not get into their designated school through the lottery can attend their overflow designated school, another school with space, or remain at their current school. Siblings may also enrol at the designated overflow school.

AFTER PRE-ENROLMENT

Students who did not get into their designated school through the lottery will be put on a callback list.
If spaces in planned classes open up, they will be offered to students on the callback list until September 30.
Resident students who register or move into the school’s attendance area after pre-enrolment closes on April 15, 2021, will be added to the bottom of the callback list. They can attend their overflow designated school, another school with space in planned classes, or choose to remain at their current school.

For full details about the lottery process, view the Student Accommodation administrative regulation (HC.AR)

TRANSPORTATION

Yellow bus service will be available for eligible K-6 students attending their overflow designated school. Bus fees will apply.

Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) is the preferred transportation method for junior high students; however, if ETS does not meet Division standards, eligible students attending their overflow designated school may be able to apply for yellow bus service. Bus fees will apply.

Families who choose to attend a school of choice rather than an overflow designated school will need to make their own transportation arrangements to get their child to and from school.