Lottery Information
BDEA offers three distinct programs (Day, Evening, Distance Learning) to serve the needs of different cohorts of students, with the commonality that they are all overage for high school and at risk of dropping out. The Day program has a total of 200 seats, and the Evening /Distance Learning program has a total of 150 seats. Space available in each group will be determined annually based on enrollment.
Because BDEA is a “second-chance” high school and must take advantage of a student’s impulse to re-enter the public school system when they are ready to do so, the school enrolls students from September through April. If it is necessary for the school to hold a lottery, an individual not affiliated with the school will be asked to draw names. At least one week’s notice will be given prior to each lottery drawing. (Please see lottery dates on the School Calendar under "News and Events").
Siblings of students who are already in attendance at the school at the time of application to BDEA have preference for admission over non-siblings. BPS students will receive second preference in admission.
Students must respond to the school with their intention to attend within one week of notification by the school. Actual dates of enrollment are impossible predict as they are influenced by the process of transferring student records from BPS. BDEA works to enroll students as quickly as possible after notification from the student of intent to enroll.
Waiting List Policy
The school’s policy on names that have not been drawn for admission is to number them in order in which they were drawn, and to admit students in that order when space becomes available. Once a wait list has been established, names drawn in subsequent lotteries will be added to the bottom of the list in the order in which they were drawn.
Wait listed students will be informed of an offer of admissions through phone contact and written notification. Students who have declined an offer of admission will be sent a letter confirming that they have declined the offer of admission. The Boston Day and Evening Academy’s policy on the Wait List is that it rolls over from year to year. Students who wish to remain on the wait list will be asked to update their information each August.
Recruitment
It is important to note that the school’s mission is to serve students who have not been traditionally successful in school. BDEA uses several methods – both traditional and non-traditional – to recruit potential students.
Students in the Day Program are recruited in a variety of ways:
- Citywide Showcase of Schools and the Pilot School Showcase in January
- Visiting each Boston Middle School and meeting with Principals and guidance counselors
- Outreach to community centers and Family Resource Centers
- Direct contact with parents recommended by the Boston Public Schools
- Word of mouth – parents, alumni, and current students
Students in the Evening Program are recruited as follows:
- Citywide Showcase of Schools and the Pilot School Showcase in January
- Referrals from other BPS High Schools
- Referrals from community centers and Family Resource Centers
- Word of mouth – parents, alumni, and current students
