Lottery Applications for 2023 -2= 2024 have closed.
RD Lottery Application for 2024 – 2024 will open January 2024.
Those who have applied: you will receive notification on your status at the beginning of March. Please be patient, this is a process and takes some time to get everything done.
Please see our FAQ page for answers to many of your questions.
2023-2024 lottery waitlist status, will be HERE once established.
Russell Dougherty Elementary School is a lottery model for enrollment. Priority placement for open spots will be given to students with siblings of currently enrolled students, and then lottery draws from our open application period. Detailed guidelines are below under Current Guidelines for Russell Dougherty Enrollment.
We will continue to enroll students from the lottery in Russell Dougherty Elementary; you must apply each year to be entered in the lottery (randomized drawing). The lottery application window begins on January 23, 2023, and ends on February 3, 2023, at 4 p.m. The lottery drawing will be held in mid-February, and all applicants will be notified of their acceptance or placement on the wait list by mid-March. Applications are available to pick up in the Russell Dougherty foyer from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day of the open application period. The application period to be entered into the lottery drawing for the 2023-2024 school year will close February 3, 2023, at 4 p.m.
Current Guidelines for Russell Dougherty Enrollment
- Attendance at Russell Dougherty is a lottery model; first allowing priority placement to siblings of currently enrolled students for open spots, next adding kindergarten, and then filling in the remaining class numbers with students on the application wait list.
- Requests to attend Russell Dougherty in the school year 2023-2024, will begin January 23, 2023 and end February 3, 2023. The forms will be available online and in the Russell Dougherty foyer for pickup only during the window. In order to be given a placement at Clegern or Russell Dougherty, a family moving to Edmond must establish residency within 45 days of the last day of the application period or the application will not result in a placement. If residency is not established within 45 days, the child’s name will be placed on the wait list in the appropriate grade level. A family moving to Edmond bears the responsibility for keeping the school informed of when they have established residency for placement or while their child’s name is on a wait list.
- All current Russell Dougherty students will be allowed to continue their attendance at Russell Dougherty. All younger sibling tag-a-longs not yet currently in kindergarten will be allowed to be enrolled in Russell Dougherty as long as there is a sibling at the school at the time the kindergarten sibling is in attendance and spots are available. All other siblings of students previously enrolled in Russell Dougherty have to continue to apply for attendance at Russell Dougherty annually.
- If openings occur in grade levels, that opening will be filled by first, a sibling tag-a-long on the wait list and then a lottery student on the wait list.
- If a lottery student requires special services that are not available at Russell Dougherty, that student may be assigned to another district school which could meet the needs of the student. (This is current practice in all schools).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a “Parent Choice School”?
Any family living in the Edmond Public School District may submit an application for their children to attend Russell Dougherty Elementary. We have a lottery every February for open positions and maintain a wait list throughout the year.
I live outside of the Edmond School district. Can my children attend Russell Dougherty Elementary?
No. You must live within the Edmond Public School district.
What makes Russell Dougherty different from other schools?
At Russell Dougherty, we provide a rich and comprehensive educational program that is complimented by our Core Knowledge curriculum as the common instructional sequence. A variety of teaching approaches and methods allow us to serve the different learning styles of students. Students at Russell Dougherty learn in an environment that fosters cooperation, mutual respect and individual responsibility.
Parents support our school through volunteer hours and an active PTO. High expectations for students have helped us earn an “A” on our School Report Card from the Oklahoma Department of Education.
What is Core Knowledge?
The Core Knowledge sequence is a detailed outline of specific content to be taught in science, math, history, geography, language arts and fine arts. Visit the Core Knowledge website for more detailed information.
How does the lottery system work?
The lottery is a random drawing of applications. It takes place at the Edmond Public Schools Administrative Center under the supervision of the Director of Elementary Education. It is recorded for any future reference needs. Each application is assigned a number as it is drawn. The lowest numbers are assigned the available spaces at Russell Dougherty. Remaining applications are placed on a waiting list according to their assigned numbers, lowest numbers first.
Do children of Edmond Public Schools employees get preference?
The Edmond school district decided from the 2003-2004 school year forward that the only children of Edmond Public Schools employees that get preference are those of Russell Dougherty teachers.
Can I increase my chances if I get my application in early?
No. No preference is given to the order applications are received.
When can I fill out an application for the lottery?
Applications are usually taken the last week of January and the first week of February. Call in early January or check this website to be sure.
I missed the lottery. Can I still get on the waiting list?
Yes. If you missed the Lottery application you may contact the school for an application. All Lottery applications turned in after the Lottery time period will not be included in the Lottery drawing, however all submitted applications will be placed at the end of the waitlist in the order they’re received.
What do I bring with me when I fill out a lottery application?
If you are live in Edmond public school boundaries and are applying for the open lottery; you’ll just fill out a short application so you do not need to bring records. Once accepted you will still have to provide two proofs of residency verification, the same as all EPS schools.
What happens if my child doesn’t get placed?
Your child will be placed on our waiting list. You will be notified if a placement becomes available for your child.
How long does my application stay on the wait list?
Applications stay on the waiting list until the next year’s lottery.
Does the waiting list carry over to the next school year?
No. Serious consideration was given to that at one time. However, it was determined to be a logistical impossibility and would penalize families who are new to Edmond.
Once my child is in Russell Dougherty, do I have to reapply every year?
No. They automatically have placement through 5th grade.
What if only one of my children gets in?
Siblings of children placed and enrolled at Russell Dougherty are given priority status for their respective grade.
Does Russell Dougherty have bus service?
No.
My older child is already attending Russell Dougherty. When his/her younger sibling starts kindergarten, will he/she have to go through the lottery?
If you currently have a child in kindergarten-4th grade, then your child coming into kindergarten is given priority status and you do not have to be a part of the lottery.
My older children attended Russell Dougherty and their younger sibling is ready to start kindergarten. Will he/she still have preference even though his/her siblings are no longer at Russell Dougherty?
No.
I attended Russell Dougherty. Will my child have to go through the lottery?
Yes.
Does Russell Dougherty have before and after school care?
Yes, both at this time. Check the website for more information. Prices do change from year to year.
Does Russell Dougherty have an Enrichment program?
Yes.
Does Russell Dougherty have a Learning Disabilities Lab?
Yes.
Does Russell Dougherty have a Pre-K program?
No.
Can I download an application online?
Yes, but only during the enrollment period.
How do I turn in my application?
Due to safety procedures our applications process will proceed as follows:
Lottery Applications will be located in our Russell Dougherty Foyer between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for pickup. Applications may be filled out in your vehicle or home. They may also be downloaded from the link at the top of this page during the application period.
Lottery applications may be returned to our school during the hours of 8:00 am –4:00 pm in our Russell Dougherty Foyer. Upon etentering the foyer, please press the office call button. An Office member will communicate through the Foyer intercom. Please state that you are needing to turn in a Lottery application and an Office member will meet you at the doors. You will need to have your photo ID ready to show Edmond residency and confirm that you are the applicant’s parent/guardian.
For contactless submissions please e-mail your Lottery Application and Photo ID to RDLottery@edmondschools.net
E-mailed applications must be received during the designated time periods to be included in the Lottery drawing. You will receive a confirmation e-mail and Lottery information letter within 48-72 hours of submitted applications. All applications that are submitted without the proper documentation or an incomplete Lottery application will be returned to the sender and not processed in the Lottery. All Lottery applications turned in after the Lottery time period will not be included in the 23-24 Lottery drawing, however all submitted applications will be placed at the end of the waitlist by the order they’re received.
I still have questions. How can I get them answered?
For any other specific questions not answered here, you may call (405) 340-2985.