Independence Charter was the only school which explicitly told us, “Do not hover. Do not contact us. It makes no difference.” Their incoming class is filled by random lottery on the first Friday of December. The only exception is siblings of current students, who get first preference. Sibling preference actually fills up quite a lot of the kindergarten class – this year there were about 26 openings for the lottery out of a total 44 spots. So, about half of the incoming class is siblings. There were about 200 applications, giving us about a 10% chance of getting our son into Kindergarten (or about what my chances were of getting into any particular medical school back in 2003). The business manager assured us on the phone that the lottery was random, “We actually, literally, pull the names out of a hat. Well, nowadays it’s a big box because there are so many kids applying. You’re welcome to come view the process.”
And that’s exactly what we did this past December. We dragged our two kids on a Friday night to the Independence Charter School cafeteria, where we munched popcorn. The CEO (or principal) got on a microphone and said, “Unfortunately, this is not going to be a happy day for most of you, but we make it as fair as possible.”
They dumped little postcards with our kids’ names into a large US Postal box. A youngish woman started pulling out names, which were read over the microphone by the CEO. When the first name was read, a man up front shouted, “She’s a twin! She’s a twin!” Well, that means that her sibling gets preference, so the first two spots were gone. Another name was read, and an older lady jumped up, clapped and scampered out of the cafeteria like we were playing “The Price is Right”. A few more names. Another name and a woman started crying and giving hugs all around. “How rude.” I thought, “No consideration for the rest of us suckers sitting here without hearing our kids’ names.” Finally number 26 was read and my son’s name had not been called.
My husband and I looked at each other. I said, “We knew it was a long-shot.” They invited parents to continue waiting to hear the waitlist (which is combined for both the immersion and enhanced programs), so we stayed. “Anything after spot number 30 and there is very little chance of us moving that far down on the waitlist.” Everyone quieted down, except the almost-kindergarteners who were at this point crawling under tables and chasing each other around the cafeteria. Another name and then, my son’s name was called! Number 2 on the waitlist! My husband and I exchanged incredulous looks and jumped up, throwing our arms (and probably some popcorn) into the air. Dancing a little, we skipped out into the hallway. I almost hugged a woman next to me, but would have crushed our little one in the baby Bjorn. I guess there are times in this process when it’s forgivable to be rude.
wonderful, i know just what you mean. our daughter got in as well and we are still, two months later, incredulous but very happy.
“How rude.” I thought, “No consideration for the rest of us suckers sitting here without hearing our kids’ names.”
"I guess there are times in this process when it’s forgivable to be rude."
So it is not forgivable when you are not chosen and forgivable when you are chosen? Definition of a double standard?
get a grip Jeff.
Our son got in to ICS last year…we couldn't be happier with his experience there. Great blog, by the way.
Why should a kid have to win a lottery ticket to get a bona fide education?
I have been involved with ICS as a parent for 8 years. When I first saw a sign about this new school in Markward playground, my husband said "what do you think". I said “sure, go on a tour and see what you think”. He was impressed with Pr. Jurate and the school, so we applied. (I must say, we were nervous, the school was only open for one year, and we choose the immersion program – and no one speaks Spanish in our family.) When we got in, our reaction was the same 8 years ago … “we just won the lottery!” We honestly didn't know how things were going to work, but I can tell you, it’s been a great school experience for both of my children.
For those who "won the lottery", welcome to ICS.
I was also there that night for the lottery. I was not a lucky one. I left after 68 names had been called from the wait list. When my postcard came we were #237, I think, on the list.
It's sad that as a parent living in a neighborhood where our local school has failed for FIVE YEARS running that I have to be scrambling to find an education for my intelligent child who, sadly for her, was not blessed with parents who can afford private school.
It truly sucks to feel like I may be failing her as a parent because I can't get her into a decent free school when it's the system that is failing so many children.
It's taken me a minute to respond to all the comments. (Thanks for reading!) I'm glad to hear that people involved with ICS are happy with their experience.
I'm also really sorry for those people who didn't make it into a decent waitlist spot for ICS. I know how tough this process is and I wish there was something I could say or do to bring quality education to everyone in Philly. Really. In another world I'd have a different career path. All I can say is that there are a number of other public schools that have less intense lottery systems that you may want to check out for your kids…Greenfield, Meredith, CW Henry etc. Or the Catholic school options — all of which we applied to. It's a tiring battle, no doubt about it, but all we can do is try, try again.
When I wrote this article I wasn't making any statement about the fairness of the world. I feel that decent education (like healthcare) should be a right, for every single child. I'd be willing to pay 50% in income taxes to get there. But alas, that's not the world we live in, so I'm merely (and less usefully) just sharing my experience. Whether someone *should* have to win a lottery for a decent education is another matter.
Welcome to ICS! My daughter will also be starting kindergarten this year there. Lucky for me I already had a daughter there in the 5th grade, so my knidergarter got right in. 5 years ago when I applied for my 1st child she was number 11 on the wait list for 1st grade. I called once a month after the drawing,once every week in the summer and everyday two weeks before school started. She went from number 11 to 9 to 6 to number 4 two weeks before school started. The person on the phone told me there were three spots available and one of the families will have to turn down a spot for her to get in. Of course they all accepted. School started and the first day of school I decided to try my luck, no spots available, the next morning I tried again no spots while I was ready to hang up I was told to hold on, a person got on the phone and said are you the mother who has been calling everyday, yes, if you can bring all of her paper work down right now we will fit her in, of course i dropped everything and ran down. My daughter started that very next DAY. SHe actually went to 3 different 1st grades that week day 1 the teacher yelled so much and was so rude a friend of ours told us to bring her to another charter he taught at and he will talk to the principal, we did and she started that school on the second day. I was not impressed with the school and didn't see any diference than the local public school, so that's what prompted me to give ICS one more try. Thank God I did! ICS is not perfect, but it is probably one of the best educations you can give your child in this city, and it's free!
I'm assuming that you graduated from medical school and are in residency. I'm curious. When you are done with training and are in practice, would you be considering public/charter schools for your children or private school (assuming that you remain in Philadelphia)? I guess the question is more this: once you have the salary that could afford private school education, would you choose that as an option over public/charter school education?
Phillymom, you are obviously not a doctor. Doctor salaries are not what they once were, and many docs finish school with 6 figure loans.
Actually I am. But the question was one about philosophy. Supposing that money isn't an issue, would there be a preference still of public/charter over private, or would one then choose private over public/charter?
Hello Everyone! Thanks for all the questions/comments. Hopefully I can shed a little more light on our school philosophy, but of course, this is more related to our personal choice, then any actual difference in educational experience.
For us, even if money wasn't an issue, we would prefer a public/charter school over a private school. I think there is a certain kind of diversity that is lost when you eliminate anyone who can't pay $15,000-$25,000 in tuition. I know the kind of financial aid offered and it isn't full tuition, at least not for the lower school. My husband and I both went to public school until college — so it's likely also related to what we feel comfortable with. Elementary school, for us, is a lot about learning how the world works and the different people in it. Our first priorities were to have our child in a safe, diverse environment. Private school options, in my book, don't match public options in terms of socioeconomic, etc. diversity.
Marta, thanks for writing back about your priorities in choosing a school for you child! I understand how the decision making process is a personal one for every family. It's nice that you were able to enroll your child in the school of your preference and that she will receive a good education. If only there were more good schools in Philadelphia to educate all our children. I do agree with David (who posted previously) that kids should not have to win the lottery to get a decent education. Those who don't get to go to their preferred schools should still be able to attend a decent local school. Equality is hard to come by (as is quality).
My son is #3 on the 2010-2011 ICS waiting list for 2nd grade. I called regularly throughout the summer and early fall and practically gave up by early winter because no spots became available. Recently (after reading these posts), it occurred to me that since my daughter will be starting kinder next fall, it would be to our advantage to try and get our 2nd grader enrolled at ICS (if a spot becomes available) even at this late date. So I called this week to check the status of the waiting list and was told that "the waiting list hasn't been moved…no spots have become available since the lottery..". Although I am currently filling out two ICS applications for the 2011-2012 lottery (one for kinder, and one for 3rd grade), I'm wondering if anyone has experience with moving up on the waiting list (and actually having their number called) this late in the academic year? Do they actually use the waiting list to fill openings that occur during the Spring (and will they do this up until the last week of class)?
Pingback: Philadelphia School Search: Independence Lottery Today! | Philly School Search
Pingback: Philadelphia School Search: Range of emotions at Charter School Lottery | Video | 6abc.com | Philly School Search
Equality in education will continue to be a battle for our children attending public, charter, or private school. However, every child has the right by law to a free public school quality education. Taxpayers pay for our public schools even if they don't have school age children. The serious question is: Why are some children receiving access to better teachers, textbooks, and information? When we have budget cuts to education were in trouble. The state Governor has the power to make changes to the system not the President!