CPS parents or guardians, and CPS students in grades 6, 7 and 8, submit high school online lottery applications using any computer with Internet access; students may use computers at their current schools.

Computers are available for parents' use at all CPS schools (call the school for office hours) and at the Customer Care Center, 2651 Burnet Avenue, 45219, Corryville. The Customer Care Center is open for walk-ins or by appointment, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; call (513) 363-0123, or make an appointment online. 

CPS students and parents/guardians enter the high school online lottery using any Internet-connected computer.

If the student information displayed is not correct, it must be corrected before the High School Online Application can be submitted.

Corrections are made using the Student Change of Information form. The completed form and required documents must be turned in to the student’s current school or at the CPS Customer Care Center, 2651 Burnet Avenue, 45219, Corryville.

Student Change of Information Form

All information submitted with an online application — names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses — must be correct.

If CPS cannot contact parents/guardians using the information provided, the student will lose the seat assigned in the lottery.

• If, after submitting an application, there are changes to the contact information, notify CPS by using the Student Change of Information form. The completed form and required documents should be turned in to the student’s current school or at the CPS Customer Care Center, 2651 Burnet Avenue, 45219, Corryville.

How the Lottery Works

1. CPS students and parents/guardians enter the high school online lottery using any Internet-connected computer. Click on the Online High School Application Lottery link on the top of this page. (CPS students entering the process on school computers will enter applications via a different portal; staff will assist students.) CPS students and parent/guardians may also apply through PowerSchool.
   1. Creating a Parent PowerSchool account
   2. The student's PowerSchool ID number and password are required to enter a high school application.
2. Select one high school as a top choice, then list two other high school choices (total of three) in order of preference, in case the top choice is filled.
3. Applications will be processed in random order via lottery by computers at CPS’ Central Office to assure that each application received during the application period has an equal chance to be assigned to first-choice schools.
4. Parents will be notified by April 28, 2023, regarding high school placement, approximately 30 days after the lottery closes.

Students currently in 6th, 7th or 8th grade who did not submit lottery applications by March 8, 2024, should submit paper applications at the high school of choice, to be added to the end of the waiting list for that school. 

• Paper Application Form

Waiting Lists

Waiting lists at high schools are in effect until June 29.

A student who enrolls in a high school for 2023-24 — but is on a waiting list for a higher-choice high school — will remain on that waiting list until June 29, 2023. If a space becomes available in a student's higher-choice high school before June 29, 2023, CPS will notify the parents by letter offering the opportunity to transfer to the higher-choice high school. 

After June 29, 2023, students are expected to stay in their selected high schools for the 2023-24 school year.

After the online High School Application Process ends, contact the desired high schools or the CPS' Customer Care Center for next steps.

• On the online application, students (or parents of students) in CPS Montessori and STEM elementary schools are asked if the students want to enter a high school that continues Montessori or STEM programs. If yes, a choice of these high schools will be offered.
  If a high school is not selected at this point, the student or parent will continue into the lottery process to select a high school.
• Students who have passed the Special College Preparatory Program (SCPP) test are eligible for Walnut Hills High School, or may enter the lottery to select another high school to attend.
  Note: Registration for testing will take place online.
• Sibling preference applies ONLY to a student's first-choice high school. This means a student is given priority over other students to enter a sibling's high school. The sibling must currently attend the student's first-choice high school in grades 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, and must live at the same address. Make sure to check the YES box on the online application to indicate that the student has a sibling at the first-choice high school.
• Only ONE online application per student per school year may be submitted. If a parent/guardian wants to change the online lottery application after it is submitted, the parent/guardian must go to CPS' Customer Care Center to make changes within the time frame of the same round as the original application: 2651 Burnet Avenue, 45219, Corryville. Parents/guardians must bring photo identification.

Parents of CPS students who now attend CPS high schools in grades 7-12 and who want to change (transfer) high schools should apply in person at the high schools they select.

CPS students now attending Spencer Center, schools with grades 7-12 or K-12 may stay at those schools without participating in the application process.

Parents of non-CPS students in grades 6-8 who live within the boundaries of the Cincinnati Public School District and are interested in their children entering CPS high schools are required to submit their online application from a CPS-networked computer from the Customer Help Center in the CPS Education Center located at 2651 Burnet Avenue, Corryville (45219). Learn more about non-CPS students applying to CPS High Schools.

• Applying to High School in Upper Grades (10-12)
• Non-CPS (In-District) Students Entering CPS