Charter schools are open to any student in Pennsylvania who is of the appropriate age or grade for the school. First preference is given to students living in the school district in which the charter school is located. Accordingly, Wissahickon must admit all Philadelphia applicants before any out-of-city applicants may be considered. All students, with the exception of the children of the school’s founders and siblings of existing students, must be selected by lottery. The first Wissahickon Charter School lottery will be conducted on April 1, 2002. A 1999 amendment to Act 22 also permits the formation of charter schools limited to children “at risk,” but Wissahickon is not such a school and will accept all applications.