It was a setting that rivals the NFL draft. But instead of college standouts, they are tiny college-bound hopefuls. Instead of coaches, there are principals. And they recite the names, in the only round, to get into their schools.
"Thirty-two-hundred applicants for 500 seats, that's a lot of people looking for a great school," said Lesley Esters Redwine, of Achievement First.
Welcome to Brooklyn's charter school lottery.
"Nowadays, public schools aren't that great," applicant Lynette Bourne said. "Looking for a better schools."
So in they went, to wait for with hundreds of others. Five-year-old Bryanna Bourne sat with her three siblings and mom, but never heard her name called for kindergarten at Crown Heights Elementary.
"People leave here in tears or overjoyed," charter school manager Sarah Goin said.
More than 700 applied for 80 seats at the elementary school. Bryanna is number 310 on the wait list.
"It's bittersweet," Achievement First's Rachel Brill said. "It's a testament to the need for more charter schools."
And those who do get in rarely give up the coveted slots.
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WEB PRODUCED BY: Bill King
NEW YORK AND TRI-STATE AREA NEWS
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