Parents camp overnight to snag kids a spot at Sunnyslope High School
Jan 6, 2020, 2:15 PM
Sunnyslope High School (Google Maps Photo)
(Google Maps Photo)
PHOENIX — There was no school Monday, but that didn’t stop parents from lining up overnight to try to get their kids a spot at Sunnyslope High School in north Phoenix.
Brian Prentice’s teeth chattered as he stood up from the old folding chair he’d called home since Saturday around 9:30 p.m.
“I was No. 26 [in line],” he chuckled. “I think there was over a hundred people.”
Prentice’s son is set to start high school in the fall, but they live in the Phoenix Union High School District.
No school today at Sunnyslope High School but that didn’t stop out-of-district parents from lining up in the hopes of getting their kids a variance to one of the state‘s top schools. I spoke to one parent who started lining up at 9:30p Saturday. He was 26th in line. @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/ekKqagnCJg
— Taylor Kinnerup (@TaylorKinnerup) January 6, 2020
“My son is supposed to go to Central [High School] but all of his friends are going to to Sunnyslope, and it’s a really good school so we’re out here for the variance,” Prentice said as he shivered through layers of clothes.
Sunnyslope is in the Glendale Union High School District and considered one of the best schools in the state.
According to U.S. News and World Report, Sunnyslope High School is the 18th best high school in the state, including private and charter schools.
This was no doubt something Prentice kept in mind as he sat in line for 34 hours in the cold.
“Staying overnight in the cold was the hardest, just trying to stay warm,” Prentice said. “I didn’t have a tent, I had a cot. I’m not really much of a camper, so this was pretty rough for me.”
But between his son’s friends and the promising education, Prentice said Sunnyslope was worth standing in line for.
“I think it shows how much we care about our kid’s education and their happiness,” he said.
The dedicated dad added he’s happy it’ll be another eight years before he has to possibly brave this cold again for his daughter.
