The really early-birds got the first 75 slots in Saturday's open enrollment at Niles New Tech ... those who found themselves with numbers 76 and higher still have hope of a lottery win to get their student in the school.
Enrollee hopefuls began gathering around midnight.
Niles New Tech, per its website, is a "progressive school where learners use technology to complete group projects as they would in a professional work environment."
Courses are taught in double classrooms by pairs of facilitators who integrate subject content to create projects that are both standards-based and relevant to learners' lives.
While the line of hopeful parents and their students was quite long Saturday, a lottery will be used to fill the remaining open student slots for the 2012-2013 academic year. Maximum enrollment is 135.
Parent Adrianna Sosa garnered No. 76 and is hopeful her student gets chosen in the lottery. Sosa arrived about 6:20 a.m., only to find many already in line.
Jerry Holtgren, Niles New Tech's incoming director, was also among the crowd at open enrollment.
"We love the fact people are lining up for education," Holtgren says. That education blends the community and business partners in how and what Niles Tech students learn, a unique approach.
Who was No. 1 in Saturday's line?
Richard Weigel. If his name sounds familiar, it's because he's superintendent of Niles Community Schools, the district which includes Niles New Tech Entrepreneurial Academy.
Along with being superintendent, Weigel had another vested interest in Saturday's open enrollment. He wants to get his student enrolled in the school.
For more information about the school, click this link: NILES NEW TECH
