SFUSD votes to end its controversial lottery enrollment system – The San Francisco Standard

SFUSD votes to end its controversial lottery enrollment system  The San Francisco Standard

The San Francisco school board voted 5-2 Tuesday to replace the school assignment lottery with neighborhood schools, directing staff to develop a plan that would take effect in 2028-29. The vote, which marks a monumental change in how the San Francisco Unified School District determines which schools students attend, follows years of debate over how to replace a system that commissioners have said scares families away with its unpredictability and has been ineffective in reducing racial disparities. Superintendent Maria Su opened the discussion by recommending the winning proposal, known as Option C , saying the move away from school choice and toward neighborhood schools would be “a very historic moment.” Board President Phil Kim said the board “should be proud of the fact today that we are moving forward to a neighborhood model.” Under Option C, students will be assigned to a school based on their home address, even if they apply late.

The days of ranking a list of schools will be over. Some schools will be open for application from across the city because they offer programs such as language immersion, K-8 instruction, and special education. “Families should not have to roll the dice and try their luck in our system,” Su said. “The school down the street should be a good option and a certain one.” The