PROVIDENCE – Charter-school applications for the 2013-2014 school year were up more than 20 percent from 2012, according to an analysis by the Rhode Island League of Charter Schools released March 1, which was charter-school lottery day.

More than 7,900 applications were received from Rhode Island families for less than 800 student openings.

“Lottery day is a happy day for some families, but also a disappointing day for many families who would like more school choices available,” Stephen A. Nardelli, executive director of the league, said in a statement. “The growing, unmet demand for charter public schools highlights the need and value of public-school-choice options in our state.”

Public charter schools are by law required to conduct a blind lottery when the number of applicants exceeds the number of available spaces.

The Rhode Island League of Charter Schools was founded in 2001 to expand the role of charter public schools in Rhode Island’s public education system.

More than 4,600 students from 34 school districts attend charter public schools in Rhode Island. •