Anchorage School District families line up their options as the annual online lottery opens, determining placement for popular schools and programs outside neighborhood attendance zones. Photo courtesy: Anchorage School District
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | February 2026
Families planning to apply for Anchorage School District lottery programs or schools outside their neighborhood zones will need to take note of a major change.
Beginning January 2026, ASD will reset all lottery waitlists annually. This means families must reapply every year if they want to be considered for a lottery school or program. Students who were previously on a waitlist will not automatically carry over into the next school year.
The long used Zone Exemption form is also being phased out. Going forward, all requests to attend a school outside a student’s neighborhood attendance area must be submitted through the ASD online lottery system.
The lottery for the 2026 to 2027 school year is open now and closes March 19 at 5 p.m. Families will be notified of results starting March 27 at 4 p.m. A second lottery cycle opens March 27 and runs through July 26, 2026. This later cycle fills remaining seats but does not change placements from the spring lottery.
ASD’s lottery system is designed to provide equal access when demand exceeds available seats. Placement is determined through a randomized draw, and applying early does not improve a student’s chances.
Families with students already enrolled in ASD schools can apply through Q ParentConnection. Families new to the district must create an account on the ASD lottery application page and submit one application per school or program.
More information, including policies and FAQs, is available here.
