02-26-2014, 10:37 AM
Two of my kids were in charter schools in Alaska. However, the lottery system (because of their popularity) was frustrating to say the least ( see documentary The Lottery about NYC). We were #1 of 88 families for one Montessori k-8 and got called in late Nov for a seat for son immediately. I said YES but realized riding a bike, even two 1/2 miles, at -25 in the dark and across one highway was probably fool hearty and I could not mid term change my hours to get there. The following year, again, lottery but vacancies came available earlier (sept) and they both went to great (albeit 7 mile drive apart) schools. Great. Although I have put name in for HAAS two years, the calls came too late for us and frankly I don't have the stomach for lottery suspense anymore....