LOTTERY PROCESS

The Walden lottery process is simple and straightforward. As applications are received during the open enrollment period, student names are added to a list of applicants and are arranged by grade. If there is space available, siblings of currently admitted students are automatically accepted before the lottery process takes place. No distinction is made based on gender, ability, disability, or ethnicity.

On the day of the lottery, all names currently on the wait list are included in a pool, organized by grade. Names are drawn randomly, one grade at a time, until open positions are filled. To ensure fairness, the lottery cannot be conducted unless at least 3 school officials are present, including a school administrator and/or business official. Names are drawn by a disinterested third party who is not an employee of the school.

When a name is drawn and added to the list of accepted students, a school official checks to see if the accepted student has any sibling(s) in the applicant pool.  If he/she does, and if there is space available in those particular grades, the sibling(s) are added to the list of accepted students. If there is no space available, the sibling(s) are added to a priority wait list and are admitted by sibling lottery once a space does become available.