Arlington Traditional School Lottery (schools, tax, live in)

[arlingtonChris]

Arlington Traditional School just completed it's acceptance lottery and my son was placed #13 on the wait list. Does anyone know if he has a realistic shot at getting into the school within the next 2 years?

[zsnelbecker]

I think you actually have fairly decent chances of getting in in the next two years. A few kids (definitely not many since it is a good school) would not accept their offer this year for various reasons; the principal said that a few kids fall out of the program every year because families move out of area or because the families find it inconvenient to travel or kids can not cope academically, or parents find it too much work for them and/or the kids. All kinds of reasons. The principal also said she will give a preference to those on the waiting list who she calls and who will trasnfer even midyear or midmonth, like late November of school year. She wants those who are highly motivated. If she parent is hesitating about pulling out from where the kid is and is not sure, she will give them some time but will then move on to the next one on the waiting list.

Bottom line, out of those 13, the list may already be a little shorter as of September; some will fall out for various reasons during the first and second year; and for those who stay and are offered a spot, they may not want it anymore because their kid is happy where he is by then. Even people on the waitingI think you have a fairly good chance of getting in within the next couple of years.

Good luck!

[Yankeesfan]

Just curious, since I don't live in Arlington: I've always wondered, instead of forcing people to go through this lottery system at Arlington Traditional School, why they don't just change one of their other schools to the same model?

[zsnelbecker]

I am wondering, too. I guess maybe it is hard to replicate, because part of the reasons why it is so good is because the parents are motivated. Motivated parents often equal motivated kids, not so much the model itself. It is almost like that the by-product of lottery is that only the most motivated who stay on top of it and persevere will get in; their kids are likely share the same qualities and this -- in addition to good teachers and lots of homework -- raises the scores and reputation. It sucks, though, for the others who do not get in, particularly when they share the same tax burden.