Lottery Process

FOR NEW STUDENTS

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 limited to a certain number of classes. This will ensure enrolment does not exceed the available space at these schools.

RESIDENT STUDENTS

Lottery schools will not accept new registrations if the student is not a resident student of Edmonton Public Schools. Students are considered a resident student if they have at least one parent or legal guardian living in Edmonton who is not Roman Catholic.

New non-resident students who live in the school’s attendance area are able to attend another Edmonton Public School with space in planned classes.

HOW THE LOTTERY PROCESS WORKS

DURING REGISTRATION AND PRE-ENROLMENT

Resident students who live in the designated attendance area for a school with a lottery process have two options:

students 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

OR
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

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 4 p.m. on April 15, the following applies for siblings who are new to the school:

siblings who are resident students and live in the attendance area are given priority, but are not guaranteed to attend if there is not enough space at their grade level
resident siblings who live outside the attendance area can only attend if there is space in planned classes after students living in the attendance area are enrolled

CHOOSING ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS OR OTHER DIVISION SCHOOLS

Resident students who register or pre-enrol for an alternative program or other Division school, but who are not accepted, are usually able to attend their designated school. However, this may not be true if the designated school has gone to a lottery.

If the designated school is full in your child’s grade following a lottery process, your child is able to attend their overflow designated school or another school with space in planned classes.

AFTER PRE-ENROLMENT CLOSES

If the number of new resident students is higher than the limit set 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.
Students who did not get into their designated school through the lottery can be put on a callback list, if requested.
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 if requested. They can attend their overflow designated school, another school with space in planned classes, or choose to remain at their current school.
If spaces in planned classes open up, they will be offered to students on the callback list until September 30.

For full details about the lottery process, view the HC.AR Student Admission and Enrolment Regulation.

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.