The lottery is the admissions process required by New York State that is held when there are more student applications to a charter school than seats available. Students are randomly selected from all applicants for admission by lottery. Students who are not selected from the lottery will be placed on a waiting list.
Why does CSASCS use a lottery system for acceptance to the school?
NYS law states that CSASCS must choose their students through a random admissions lottery if more applications than seats are available.
Is anyone given preference in the lottery?
Preference is given to returning students, employee children, siblings of students, and students who reside in the Syracuse City School District. ELL students are given additional weight.
When is the lottery?
The lottery drawing for Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School (SASCS) and Citizenship & Science Academy of Syracuse Charter School (CSASCS) is on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, starting at 11:00 am at SAS HS Gym at 1001 Park Ave., Syracuse, NY, 13204.
Does my child have to be present for the lottery?
No, applicants do not have to be present to be selected. The lottery is open to the public and subject to state regulations to ensure they are transparent and equitable.
If my child is accepted, will he/she have to participate in the lottery yearly?
No, students who are accepted into CSASCS will be able to remain in the school until graduation, provided they adhere to the school’s guidelines and policies.
Is there a waitlist process?
Yes, students who are placed on the waiting list are ranked. Students are accepted for openings by lottery. If the accepted student’s parents decline, the next student on the waiting list will be offered the opening until all the open seats are filled.
If my child is not accepted, will he/she participate in the lottery for the following years?
No, waiting lists will not be carried over from year to year. If the student isn’t accepted, parents need to complete an application again for the following year.
