From Sfchronicle · · 1m 50s
SFUSD Ditching Lottery
SFUSD ends lottery system, parents question neighborhood school quality.
In brief
SFUSD ends lottery system, parents question neighborhood school quality. SFUSD will assign elementary students to neighborhood schools starting fall 2028, but parents worry about school quality in some areas. Originally reported by Sfchronicle.
SFUSD ends lottery system
San Francisco school officials voted to end the lottery system for student assignment starting fall 2028.
Parents question neighborhood school quality
Many parents worry about school quality in neighborhoods like Southeast San Francisco where schools often underperform.
Primary concern: reading and math
Parents said high-quality instruction in reading and math is their main concern for their children's education.
District officials field angry calls
Officials received angry calls from parents about the decision to prioritize neighborhood schools over choice options.
Parents want flexibility
Some parents want the ability to apply to schools with special programs like language immersion or bilingual education.
SF Parents Coalition concerns
Rebecca Kee of the SF Parents Coalition said the district ignored parents' concerns about school quality in some neighborhoods.
Neighborhood school system details
The new system assigns students to their local school but allows applications for special programs like language immersion.
High school enrollment issue
Parents say high school students should also get priority placement in their neighborhood schools to avoid private school costs.
School closures expected
School closures or mergers are expected by the end of the 2029-2030 school year to address empty seats.
28% first choice
Based on 2026 kindergarten assignments, 28% of families listed their neighborhood school as their first choice.
53% second choice
53% of families listed their neighborhood school as one of their choices for kindergarten.
What happens next
The district will finalize the new enrollment system by April 2028 with community feedback and a final board vote.
The key point
SFUSD will assign elementary students to neighborhood schools starting fall 2028, but parents worry about school quality in some areas.
