Throughout the meeting, from 9:04 a.m. to 10:27 a.m., the process stayed the same. At either end of a black table sat CHS counselors Missy Herowitz and Brian Williams, holding boxes of paper slips. Williams’ was full of names and Herowitz’s was full of numbers. With synchronized combinations determining which slots went to who, Dean Marci Tuzinsky confirmed them with a stapler, and either Joann Constantindes, Lisa Durham or Heather Ruark confirmed with a checkmark.
“To be eligible for the lottery, you have to either live in the Ann Arbor Public School boundaries, or already be a student in the Ann Arbor Public Schools through school of choice,” Tuzinsky said.
For said eligible students, the lottery opened on Jan. 7, 2025 for applications and closed on Feb. 13, 2025. There were a total of 304 applicants.
However, even if students were not accepted in the initial lottery, the waitlist brings them hope. The eighth graders on that list still have the opportunity to attend Community at some point, if not via late acceptance, through split enrollment.
Senior Maggie Beeson did not get an opportunity to attend CHS until her sophomore year. Her original lottery number was in the 200s. After starting school elsewhere, she believed that Community was not in the cards.
However, the week before her freshman year concluded for summer break, Beeson and her family got an email: She had been moved off the waitlist and was invited to attend CHS as a student for the upcoming school year.
“I was thrilled when I got the email that I could come over,” Beeson said.
Now, three years later, she’s thriving at CHS. She feels as though she has opportunities, which fit her, and that this was the best outcome for her.
“Now that I go here, I’m so much more independent,” Beeson said. “I have a lot more confidence in myself and my well-being. I think that’s super important to have when you’re growing up and developing your mind.”
Beeson believes each student has a high school that is meant for them, and whether or not it is CHS, they will find their place.
Students who were accepted will get the chance to make a decision by March 7, and then any declined spots will be given to those on the waitlist. Accepted students will also be invited to see the school at “Connect with Community” – a day dedicated to welcoming possible incoming freshmen, run by teachers and current students. This gives these students a chance to see whether or not CHS is the right school for them and, from there, make a decision on whether or not to attend. The lottery process is one of buzzing excitement as CHS awaits its newest class.
