How to navigate the My School DC lottery if your child didn’t get their first choice

Opening your My School DC lottery results can bring a mix of emotions.

For some families, it is exciting. For others, it is disappointment after seeing that their child did not receive a seat at their top choice school.

Key takeaways

• The bigger picture: Not getting your first choice school in the My School DC lottery is common and does not mean your child will not receive another strong placement.
• The details: Waitlists move throughout the spring and summer as families make enrollment decisions. Accepting a school offer does not remove your child from higher ranked waitlists.
• The more you know: Families should carefully review all school options before making decisions. Staying informed and responding to deadlines is critical throughout the process.

The good news? A lottery result is not always the end of the story.

Each year, thousands of families across the District navigate waitlists, acceptances and enrollment decisions after results are released. Understanding how the process works can help parents make informed decisions and reduce some of the stress that comes with school selection season.

First, know that you are not alone

One of the biggest misconceptions about the My School DC lottery is that most students receive their first choice school.

In reality, many families are placed at schools lower on their rankings or are initially waitlisted at their preferred programs. Because popular schools receive far more applications than available seats, waitlists are a normal part of the process.

A few important things to remember:

• Thousands of DC families receive waitlist placements every year.
• Many students ultimately enroll at schools that were not their first choice.
• Waitlists often move throughout the spring and summer.
• A lottery result is not necessarily your child’s final placement.

It is understandable to feel frustrated, especially if you have spent months researching schools, attending open houses and ranking your options. That is true whether you applied for a high school seat or one of the best preschools and early learning programs in the DMV. But lottery results are one step in a much longer process.

Understand what your offer means

If your child receives an offer through My School DC, you will typically have a limited window to accept and enroll.

Many parents worry that accepting an offered seat means giving up hope of getting into a higher ranked school. That is not how the system works.

Here is what families should know:

• Accepting an offered seat does not remove your child from higher ranked waitlists.
• Your child can remain on waitlists for schools you ranked above the school that offered admission.
• Securing an offered seat gives your family a backup plan while you wait to see if a preferred option becomes available.
• Schools may continue making waitlist offers throughout the spring and summer.

Think of it as keeping your options open. By accepting an offered seat, you are protecting your child’s placement while still allowing for the possibility of moving into a higher ranked school later.

Do not ignore waitlist numbers

After results are released, families receive waitlist positions for schools where they were not offered seats. That number matters, but not always in the way parents think.

A waitlist position of 10 may sound encouraging, while a position of 100 may feel hopeless. Movement varies significantly from school to school and year to year. Some schools see substantial movement over the summer as families relocate, choose private schools or accept other offers. Others see very little.

Instead of focusing only on the number, reach out to the school, attend any available information sessions and review historical waitlist trends if they are published. Do not panic if your number seems high. Many families change their plans over the summer, which creates movement in unexpected places.

Research the school you were offered

It is natural to focus on the disappointment of not getting your first choice, but do not overlook the opportunity in front of you. Many families discover that a school they ranked lower ends up being an excellent fit.

Take time to:

• Schedule another visit
• Attend family information sessions
• Talk with current parents
• Explore extracurricular offerings
• Review transportation options
• Learn about academic programs and support services

You may find strengths that were not obvious during the application process. Our guide to finding the right charter or public school for your child in the DMV can help you evaluate a school you had not seriously considered.

Keep track of deadlines

One of the biggest mistakes families make is missing enrollment deadlines while waiting for another school to call. If you receive an offer, make sure you understand every required enrollment step and submit paperwork on time.

Create a simple checklist that includes:

• Enrollment deadlines
• Required documents
• School contact information
• Waitlist updates
• Important email notifications

Missing a deadline could mean losing a seat you have already been offered, so staying organized is critical. Once your placement is settled, add the DC Public Schools 2026-27 calendar to your planning so you are not caught out by the first day, holidays or break dates.

Be prepared for summer movement

Many families assume lottery results are final once they are released. Often they are not.

Some of the biggest waitlist movement happens during late spring and summer as families make final decisions, move out of the area or choose different options. A waitlist position that feels disappointing in March can look very different by June or July.

Good to know: Schools may contact families with waitlist offers throughout the summer, sometimes with only a short window to respond.

Check your email, voicemail and My School DC account regularly, and keep your contact information current so you do not miss an opportunity if a seat opens.

Consider the bigger picture

Before making a final decision, remember that a great school experience is about more than a lottery result.

Consider factors like:

• Teacher and staff support
• Your child’s social and emotional well being
• Extracurricular activities and enrichment programs
• Transportation and daily commute
• Opportunities for family involvement
• The overall school culture and community

Many families who were initially disappointed later discover that their child thrives at a school they had not considered their top choice. Sometimes the best fit is not the school that started at the top of your list.

Parent tips: what to do next

• Accept your offered seat if you are comfortable with it. Protect your child’s placement while remaining on higher ranked waitlists.
• Monitor your waitlists regularly. Movement can happen quickly, especially during the spring and summer months.
• Stay organized. Keep track of enrollment paperwork, deadlines and important school communications.
• Visit schools again. A second visit often provides a different perspective than an open house or initial tour.
• Keep an open mind. Many families discover that their eventual placement ends up being the right fit for their child.

Questions to ask before making a final decision

Before declining or accepting a school offer, consider:

• Does the school meet my child’s academic needs?
• How manageable is the commute?
• What extracurricular activities are available?
• How does the school support students socially and emotionally?
• What do current families say about their experience?

These conversations can help families feel more confident about whichever path they choose. If you are weighing options beyond the lottery, our guide to top schools in and around Washington, DC covers private, Montessori and specialized programs.

Jenna Dolch