# SFUSD Replaces Lottery with Neighborhood School Guarantee

> SFUSD votes on kindergarten enrollment system: neighborhood school guarantee with choice or certainty.
- Title: SFUSD Replaces Lottery with Neighborhood School Guarantee
- Summary: SFUSD votes on kindergarten enrollment system: neighborhood school guarantee with choice or certainty. SFUSD will replace its kindergarten lottery with a…
- Keywords: sfusd, kindergarten, enrollment, school lottery, neighborhood school, kindergarten seats, mission bay, webster, seats shortage, school board, news, local
- Source: The San Francisco Standard — https://sfstandard.com/2026/10/09/sfusd-kindergarten-enrollment-changes
- Published: 2026-10-09T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sfusd, kindergarten, enrollment, school lottery, neighborhood school, kindergarten seats, mission bay, webster, seats shortage, school board, news, local
## SFUSD replaces kindergarten lottery
SFUSD will replace its kindergarten lottery system starting fall 2028 with a neighborhood school guarantee.
## Two enrollment options for families
Option B offers more school choice; Option C guarantees neighborhood school even if applying late.
## Current lottery system
Families rank schools anywhere in the city, with CTIP1 giving priority to students from 20% of the city with historically low test scores.
## Late applicants' seat situation
7 in 10 late applicants have low-risk schools; 2 in 10 live in seat-shortage areas; 1 in 10 have popular schools with room.
## Stanford simulations show differences
Option C keeps 48% of students within half a mile of home versus 40% under Option B and 35% today.
## Parent survey results
71% of surveyed families prefer Option B over Option C for meeting their needs.
## Seat shortages by 2033
19 of 58 attendance areas will be short by 320 kindergarten seats combined by 2033.
## Diversity impact
Black, Latino, and Pacific Islander students attending high-poverty schools would rise from 42% to 51% under Option C.
## Timeline for new system
SFUSD will vote on Option B or C Tuesday, review draft policy in February, and vote on final policy April 13, 2.028-29 school year.
## What happens next
First students affected apply in fall 2027 for the 2028-29 school year with current lottery system.
## Key takeaway

SFUSD will replace its kindergarten lottery with a neighborhood school guarantee system by 2028, offering either more school choice or guaranteed enrollment for late applicants.