Parents hope to win Philadelphia charter school lottery

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The group of approximately two dozen parents gathered inside the Russell Byers Charter School praying their child would win Thursday's annual lottery.

They represent just a few of the 1,445 families vying for only 23 kindergarten spots, that equates to a 1.7% admission rate for the highly diverse charter school which goes kindergarten through 6th grade.

No parents who attended the drawing were winners.

Fione Fong made the waiting list for the child she hopes will soon escape the Philly public school district.

"The education in Philadelphia is pretty tough now. We only have a few good schools," Fong said.

Parent Teneisha Jenkins was also selected for the waiting list.

"I'm trying to get my child and her sister into a better learning environment," Jenkins said.

Grandmother Barbara Plant has tried to win this lottery before.

"We're never going to stop trying and if it don't happen, she'll go to private school," Plant said.

The Russell Byers Charter School, now 14 years old, has compiled a tremendous academic record.

Its reputation is firm as being one of the highest performing charter schools in the city and, in fact, across the state, as well.

"It's not just about test taking. It's an attractive building. It's a safe building," Acting School Headmaster Larry Sperling said.

The student population of the school is 81% African-American,, 11% white, 4% Hispanic and 2% Asian.

87% of the students come from economically disadvantaged homes.