How do I apply? 

Families with a student currently enrolled at an ASD school: Apply through Q ParentConnection

Families with no student enrolled at an ASD school:

1. Visit the ASD Lottery webpage.
2. Create a lottery account.
3. Add your student(s).
4. Submit one application per program or school.

Can I apply for more than one school or program?

Yes. Families may apply for multiple schools or programs for each student, but only one application per program.

Can I make changes after submitting?

Once submitted, applications cannot be changed. Families can withdraw and reapply during the open window if needed.

Are translations of the lottery application available?

The lottery system is currently in English with the ability to utilize Google Translate.  Additional assistance is available by calling the English Language Learners (ELL) Program at 742-4452.

Is the lottery first-come, first-served?

No. The ASD lottery is a randomized draw. Submitting early does not increase your chance of selection. ASD uses a lottery system to provide an equal opportunity. 

Do I have to live in Anchorage at the time of the lottery to apply?

No. Families may apply from outside Anchorage, including military families preparing to move. Applicants must have a U.S. address to register. Proof of Anchorage residency is required at enrollment if offered a seat (new-to-district pre-enrollment opens in mid-July).

Can I apply if I’m stationed out of state or overseas?

Yes. Military or out-of-state families can apply if they have a valid U.S. address and phone number. Proof of Anchorage residency is required at enrollment.

I have one child applying for the same program that a sibling is already attending. How will the system know that I have a student already enrolled in the program?

The application will ask you to provide this information.

What will happen to my wait-list position if I accept a seat at a different school?

Nothing will happen to the wait-listed position. You can accept at one school and still maintain your wait-listed position at any other schools. Your child’s name will remain on the wait list for his or her grade level for the current school year. 

I accepted a position at one school (School A), but then later received notification that my child was accepted to another school (School B). Can I accept at both schools until I make my decision?

No. You may only accept at one school. If you accept the new position at School B the system will automatically decline the previously accepted position at School A. You have two business days to accept or decline the new position at School B before the system will decline for you.

I accepted a seat at a program that I no longer wish my child to attend, but I cannot change my acceptance in the system.

Please call the school and inform the staff of this decision so they can offer the seat to another student.

Can an application be submitted in a different language?

The lottery system is currently in English with the ability to utilize Google Translate. Additional assistance is available by calling the English Language Learners (ELL) Program at 742-4452.

I don't have an email account. How can I create one?

You can set up a free email account on websites such as Google, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail, etc. You will need to come up with a name and password for your account and follow the directions from the email provider.

I don't have access to a computer or the Internet. Where can I get assistance?

Parents are required to have an email address for this system. For parents with limited or no access to a computer or the Internet, here are places they can get assistance:

All Municipality of Anchorage public libraries offer free Internet and computer access:

• Z.J. Loussac Public Library, 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage, 907-343-2975
• Chugiak-Eagle River Branch Library, 12001 Business Blvd., Suite #176, Eagle River Town Center, Eagle River, 907-343-1530
• Gerrish (Girdwood) Branch Library, 250 Egloff Drive, Girdwood, 907-343-4024
• Mountain View Branch Library, 120 Bragaw, Anchorage, 907-343-2818
• Muldoon Branch Library, Muldoon Town Center, Suite 158, 1251 Muldoon Road, Anchorage, 907-343-4223

At the ASD Education Center, parents can use the computers and Internet stations anytime. Staff in the Instructional Division office are available to help if you need support. The ASD Education Center is located at 5530 E Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99504.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any student is eligible to create an online lottery application for a program or outside their neighborhood school.

Are there any priorities or preferences in the lottery process?

The lottery is randomized. However, the process includes limited preferences outlined in ASD Administrative Regulation, such as sibling preference, and attendance zone preference when applicable to a specific program.

Two of my children entered the lottery, but only one was selected to attend. Can I wait to see if my other child gets selected from the wait list next semester and then enroll them both?

If you decline enrollment once your child’s name has been selected, the spot will be offered to the next student on the wait list. Due to enrollment demand, ASD is unable to “hold” spots.

What if my student has an IEP or 504 plan?

All students may apply. Individual education teams (IEP/504) will determine whether the program can meet the student’s needs during the enrollment process.

Does my student in a language immersion program need to enter the lottery to transition to their immersion feeder middle/high school?

Students enrolled in ASD’s immersion programs automatically continue (“roll up”) to the next-level immersion feeder school. For example, Government Hill students advance to Romig Middle without reapplying.

My older child is already in an alternative school, and my younger child wants to attend the same program. Does my younger child have to go through the lottery process?

Yes, the younger child must submit a lottery application, but will be given sibling preference in the next lottery drawing. This means that the child’s name will be grouped with other sibling/attendance preference students in the same grade level. Their names will be drawn before the names of students in the same grade level who do not have sibling or attendance area preference.

What is “sibling preference?”

Sibling preference is given to prospective students who have a sibling currently enrolled in the same program. If a student has either a sibling or attendance area preference, their name will be grouped with other preference students in the same grade level. 

My older child used to go to an alternative school, but is now in middle school. Can my younger child still get sibling preference?

Once a student exits an alternative school program, whether by grade promotion or transfer to another school, that student’s siblings no longer qualify for sibling preference. If a student is enrolled in a K-12 language immersion program, the siblings will be eligible for preference in the same language immersion program, even if they are in different grade levels. For example, the sibling of a student who attends the Japanese immersion program at Mears Middle School would be eligible for sibling preference at Sand Lake Elementary Japanese immersion program.

What is “attendance area preference?”

Attendance area preference is given to students who live in the attendance area for a neighborhood school and who wish to enroll in that school’s alternative program. If a student has either sibling or attendance area preference, their name will be grouped with other preference students in the same grade level. 

My child has sibling preference (or attendance area preference). Does that guarantee him/her a slot at the school?

No. If a student has either a sibling or attendance area preference, they will be grouped with other preference students in the same grade level.

What is the “grade level draw” and why is it done?

A grade-level draw means the lottery is conducted separately for each grade, from kindergarten through 12th grade. The order in which grade levels are drawn is randomized to ensure the process is fair, transparent, and unbiased. This approach helps maintain equity across all grades in accordance with ASD’s Administrative Regulation for the lottery system.

Are there any preemptions to the lottery process?

Yes. Preemptions may be granted for reasons of grade level balance, documented hardship (extenuating circumstances, medical, safety, psychological, or curriculum considerations) or gender balance. All preemptions must be approved by the elementary, middle, or high school senior director for that school’s education level (elementary, middle or high).

When are waitlists cleared?

All waitlists are cleared annually when the new lottery opens in February.

Why are waitlists cleared each year?

Clearing waitlists each year ensures equitable access for all families, including new residents and military families. This change aligns with ASD’s Administrative Regulation and School Board guardrails focused on equity and opportunity.

What if my student was number one on a previous waitlist?

Families must reapply each year. Previous placement on a waitlist does not carry forward.

Can I be on more than one waitlist?

Yes. You can be on multiple waitlists. All waitlists are cleared the following year.

How long do I have to accept an offer?

Families have two business days to accept or decline a seat once offered. If no response is received, the seat is forfeited, and the student must reapply in the next lottery.

Is transportation provided for lottery or choice schools?

No. Families must provide their own transportation to any school that is not their neighborhood school. Transportation is not provided for charter, alternative, or choice programs.

How will I be notified of my lottery results?

Families are notified by automated phone call and email during the initial round of lottery results. 

The results are also listed on the dashboard located at https://lotapp.asdk12.org/apply/

Parents must enter a valid phone number on the application.

Families are encouraged to save ASD contact numbers and emails to prevent lottery notifications from being filtered as spam.