Anchorage families told to recheck school lottery status before 2026-27 starts

The Anchorage School District told families to recheck their students’ lottery status after it said inaccurate information had been distributed through its lottery notification system.

In a July 27, 2026 notice, ASD directed families to review the current status shown in ParentConnect or the student’s lottery application. The district did not say that every notification was affected, so families should verify the current online record rather than rely on an earlier message.

What families should do now

Parents and guardians should log in to ParentConnect or the ASD lottery application and review the status displayed for their student.

If ASD shows a new seat offer, the family must accept or decline it within 48 hours. Families that already accepted a school and still want that placement do not need to take additional action, according to the district.

Families listed as waitlisted do not need to act at this time. ASD says the school will contact the family directly if a seat becomes available. A waitlist status is not the same as a seat offer or confirmed enrollment.

Enrollment and registration

ASD’s 2026-27 back-to-school guidance says PreK-12 students who did not attend the district last year need to enroll. New-to-district families can register at their home school or online.

Currently enrolled PreK-11 students who intend to return to ASD must complete online registration for the 2026-27 school year. Families should complete the applicable enrollment or registration step promptly, especially if a lottery result affects the student’s placement.

Meals, immunizations and transportation

Families can apply for free or reduced-price meals and check whether they qualify for free meals through support programs such as SNAP, TANF or Migrant.

ASD also says students must comply with immunization requirements under state law. Families should review their records and the district’s information about free or low-cost clinics if they need help meeting the requirement.

For transportation, families should review their school’s walking map. Students who qualify for transportation services can find bus-route information in ParentConnect or StopFinder.

First days vary by grade

ASD lists different first-day dates for the 2026-27 school year: Wednesday, Aug. 19, for grades 1-6 and 9; Thursday, Aug. 20, for grades 7-8 and 10-12; and Wednesday, Aug. 26, for PreK and kindergarten.

For Anchorage families affected by the lottery notification correction, the immediate steps are to verify the current status shown by ASD, respond within 48 hours if a new seat offer appears, and complete the enrollment, registration, meal, immunization and transportation checks that apply to the student.

Sources

• Anchorage School District — Lottery Notification Correction and Next Steps