Woofwoof - So bizarre that you suggested a Lutheran school. I attended a Lutheran K-8 and am an avid supporter. I'm a bit new to the SF public lottery, but I would suggest checking out the "SF K Files" - a blog that has a lot of input on the sf lottery madness. You'll find advice there and a network of parents.

Here's a great example of political correctness gone too far! But I agree with the poster who suggested smaller parochial (church-based) schools. Lutheran schools seem to have an excellent reputation and usually about 1/2 the cost of the average private school (at least here in my section of OC.) The other consideration, even with jobs and whatever ties you have to SF -- get out of SF into a different city/county where the public system is more "normal."

Not sure what private school you are at, but have you considered a smaller parochial school? I am in SF and know multiple people who are in your situation. (I'm sorry!) Are you waiting for the second round lottery?

Thank you all for your suggestions and support. Yes SF system stinks. Instead of them fixing the schools by making the program stronger and challenging, they are trying to put kids from all over the city into the bad schools thinking that it somehow will improve the schools. I took some steps by writing letters to the board of educators but I know that I will not be heard. I am so disappointed and frustrated at this point but I will not give up. My child's education is one of the most important things in life.

As soon as I saw the heading of your post I knew you were in SF. Personally, I haven't had to deal with this yet as my daughter is only starting preschool in the fall. But I'm not looking forward to it!
I've never heard of a child not getting assigned to any school- that's deplorable!
Are you on the Yahoo group for SF schools? You might be able to get some good advice there. Here's a link to join: groups.yahoo.com/group/sfschools/

Here is a link to Parents for Public Schools-SF-- they might be able to help you: www.ppssf.org/

And finally, the SFKfiles blog has a post where parents are sharing round 2 strategies: thesfkfiles.blogspot.com/

I really hope your child gets into one of your seven schools. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

I'm from Southern California, but the SFUSD is becoming legendary for how complicated they've made the school choice issue. Hang in there, and hopefully some more locals will weigh in with ways to help your child get into a school that's acceptable to your family.

I'm sorry that you are faced to deal with this. Our town has zoning/district issues. Children are supposed to attend the school that is within a certain mile radius of their home to avoid over-crowding in schools/classrooms.

The public school system (which I am I product of) is not the greatest however, my husband and I can not afford private school either. I tried complaining to the school superintendent and the mayor, expressing how unacceptable it is...paying mortgage and property taxes and still needing to pay for a decent education because an above average school system was not within my district.

My daughter's learning ability was not hendered entering public school. Surprisingly she had a kindergarten teacher that pushed her to the limit, disobeying the rule of a cirriculum geared by time-frame. Once the children adequately learned the lesson, she'd move along to the next even though she was suppose to continue on that same subject for another 2 weeks.

I've come to realize that though the school overall is failing by percentage, my daughter is not included in this percentile. Its been 2 years now. She passes each state test given. We teach her at home as well, going above and beyond what's being taught at school. I like keeping her ahead of the curve, in the event she'll change schools and attend a private or charter school, which may teach at an advanced level.

That being said, if there is no way of getting around it and your child has to attend the assigned school, don't panic. Just make sure that she's learning the school's curriculum and teach her at home, what they feel she's not ready for but you disagree.

You can go to the STATE BOARD of ED. they will guide you there is the No Child Left Behind Act