Parents Battle To Get Kids In Top CPS Schools

CINCINNATI - WLWT.com

Dozens of parents will spend the night out in the cold to make sure their children get into top local public schools.

Some Cincinnati Public School parents told News 5 that before it's al over, they'll have camped out for days.

The parents said they hope their children -- some of which will just be kindergarteners -- appreciate their sacrifice someday.

IMAGES: Parents Line Up For Magnet School

The first woman in line in front of Fairview Clifton German Language School said she arrived at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Parents won't be able to register until 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

The competition to get into CPS' top magnet schools is so fierce, the district is thinking about scraping the first-come, first-serve system all together.

Parent Carmen Pitts said she was so worried her son wasn't going to get a spot in German Language School that she arrived more than two days beforehand to get in line.

"I think it was the anxiety, more so than anything, that it was going to start," Pitts said.

The frenzy is frustrating school officials, who have been trying to discourage such scenes.

Parents can be seen stretching down the block and around the corner, jockeying for position for the sign up for the upcoming school year.

"I think it's incredible. I think it's kind of a sad state of affairs that we have to go to these lengths to get our children into good schools," parent Meg Stansbury said.

Jennifer Kinsley said she is doing it all for a spot on the waiting list. She's currently No. 62 in line for 53 open kindergarten seats.

Like many, she had to take vacation from work just to be in line.

"At the end of the day I feel bad for the families that can't sit here, that can't afford to do this -- the single mom," Kinsley said.

"I think we have to take a look at equity. You know is it equitable?" Assistant Supt. Tom Rothwell said.

The school district is now studying that very question. Officers are planning meetings with parents beginning in January to see if there's support for scrapping the system in favor of a more traditional lottery.

That may level the playing field, but it won't sit will with some parents.

"It's absolutely the most important thing we can do for them, so we'll do everything we can," Stansbury said.

The situation is so hard for the school to control; officials had to call security down here because parents set up tents on school property, which is totally against policy.

After considering their options, and the fact there's no where else for the parents to go, CPS officials decided not to enforce that policy and let everyone stay.

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