High School Specialty Program Application FAQs

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Lottery Questions
High School Specialty Program Application

How does the lottery work?

The High School Specialty Program Application is not a first-come, first-serve basis. You may apply anytime during the application window to be considered.

SCUSD uses a computerized, third-party lottery system to place students at their specialty program of choice. A lottery must be implemented if applications exceed the grade capacity at the requested program.

One of the following lottery scenarios will occur:

  1. Your student is selected for his/her first specialty program choice and receive a notification letter to register. 
  2. If your student applied to only one specialty program and was not selected, he/she will be placed on a waiting list.
  3. If your student applied for two specialty programs and was not selected for his/her first choice, the computer will look for his/her second choice. Note: Second choice selections are placed behind all first choice selections.
  • Your student is selected for his/her second specialty program choice and receives a notification letter to register.
  • Your student is not selected for his/her first or second specialty program choice. He/she will be placed on a waiting list for his/her first choice only.

What happens if my student doesn’t get accepted to the first or second school of choice?

Your student will only be placed on the waiting list for their first choice. Placement from the waiting list occurs only if space becomes available.

The specialty program coordinator working with the Enrollment Center Director will contact the parent/guardian when and if space becomes available.

Students who apply to a specialty program and have not met the school’s admissions requirements will not be included in the lottery. If the student hasn’t applied to another program, the student must attend his/her neighborhood or current school.

If I am accepted to my 2nd choice, will I be put on the 1st choice waiting list?

No. 

Who has priority in the lottery selection process?

Lottery Selection Priorities:

First priority

  • Siblings of students already in attendance at the specialty program and will continue to be enrolled in the upcoming school year.

Second priority

  • Students whose parent/guardian’s primary place of employment is the selected school.

Third priority (administrative priority)

  • When unique circumstances occur at a school, such as a school closure, program changes, and/or over-crowding occurs; district administrators may institute a specific priority to meet staffing and housing needs.

Schools without Attendance Boundaries:

First priority

  • Siblings of students already in attendance at the specialty program and will continue to be enrolled in the upcoming school year.

Second priority

  • Students whose parent/guardian’s primary place of employment is the selected school.
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Registration Questions

What is the timeline for registration into the program I am accepted to?

If accepted into a specialty program, applicants needed to complete the process by registering online. Instructions will be included in the notification letters. Notifications letters will begin to be mailed late January 2021. 

If you fail to complete the registration within this timeline, applicants will be automatically dropped from the specialty program acceptance list.