Rockport reports 39 school‑choice applicants; district projects 27 incoming students

Superintendent Mark Branca told the School Committee that a school‑choice lottery was held the morning of April 16 after the district received 39 applications for open seats. Branca said the lottery was required for kindergarten, third and seventh grades and that the district anticipates 27 incoming school‑choice students next year (a net increase compared with current year school‑choice counts).

"The lottery was actually held this morning," Branca said. He spelled out the mechanics: selected families will have until April 30 to accept a seat; if families decline the district will offer seats to the next family on the lottery list. Branca also said policy allows a second lottery (likely in August) and he will follow up to determine whether the district should run another outreach to fill remaining ninth‑grade slots.

Branca reported Rockport currently has 13 school‑choice students in the senior class and expects incoming choice enrollment to bring next year's total enrollment to about 168 students, an increase of roughly 14 school‑choice students compared with the current year. Committee members asked whether the district should advertise for remaining ninth‑grade openings; Branca said he will research timing and policy parameters.