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District proposes rotating waiting list by town for incoming ninth graders
Summary
Staff proposed changing the admissions waiting list from a single merged ranking to town-based ranked lists that would be allocated in a rotating, random order; the change would apply mainly to rising ninth graders and is slated to return for further review in October.
District staff outlined a proposed substantive change to the admissions policy that would alter how the waiting list is managed for entering ninth graders.
"Instead of that we move to a waiting list where the kids stay on a ranked list within their own community and we simply go in a random order," the presenter said, describing a rotation (a "snake draft" style) that would cycle through towns when filling remaining seats after the initial admissions round.
Staff said the intended effect is to control for differences across sending schools—grading, discipline policies and similar variations—by ensuring town-level representation in subsequent seat offers. The presenter emphasized the proposal would not change the number of seats available overall, only the order in which seats that open later are allocated.
Committee members asked how the change would affect upperclass students and existing waiting lists. Staff replied that the policy change primarily targets rising ninth graders; waiting lists for upper grades would remain merged because the numbers involved are smaller and are handled by rank-order within grade and program.
Staff said they would provide simulations and visuals between meetings to show how the two methods compare and bring the policy back in October for additional discussion and possible action.
