In other words, Ravenna is not Boston.

And nowhere is that more true than in the schools.

“There was only one school in the town,’’ says Young, 33. “It’s not like this massive choice. No parental angst. That’s where you went.’’

Any parent wrestling right now with the Boston Public School lottery, and who has visited any of the public, charter, or pilot schools around the city, knows it’s slightly more complicated here. The city is divided into three neighborhood assignment zones, and you have to apply in the zone where you live. But then there are citywide schools anyone can apply to. And while one school might have a gym and weekly science lessons, another school will have no gym or science but will have music and dance. Still another school will have no music but will have art. And one school will brag about its MCAS scores while the next will say it doesn’t emphasize testing.

It’s dizzying, and daunting - perhaps too daunting for some, which may be one reason about one-quarter of the 80,000 school-age children in Boston don’t attend Boston public schools.

Young didn’t want to be one of those who fled for the suburbs or went the private or parochial route for her son. So in November 2008, she launched a blog just as she began researching schools. Calling herself Geeky Mama, she has used Bravingthelottery.blogspot.com as her own quasi-public investigation into how the lottery works, to rate the schools in her eyes, to update parents on the Boston School Committee’s doings, to vent her frustrations, and to let principals and teachers know that at least one person is paying close attention to their progress. And sharing it publicly.

We caught up with Young at home in Roslindale to talk about her blog, her stress level, and what she’s learned about Boston public schools for her son, Elliot DeCosta, who’s now 4, and ready for pre-kindergarten.

Q. Tell me how the blog started.

A. We were talking to a mom at the Jamaica Plain tot lot. She had just gone through the lottery. She’d compiled tons of paperwork, but there was no way to share it with people. I thought there’s got to be a better way. Everyone goes on these school tours, but what do you do with that information? Both those things inspired me to try to exert some control in a system where you have very little control.

Q. Did you hope to reach parents with the blog, or was it mainly to help yourself?

A. It was a way for me to stay organized. If I just kept it in a notebook, it would get lost. If I had it electronically, I could revisit it. Some parents work and can’t get to these school previews. I thought it might be helpful.

Q. Talk about your son. How do you think the school experience he will have will differ from yours growing up?

A. I went to a well-regarded school. Now I see schools where you don’t have a gym. You don’t have musical instruments. I’ve just accepted it. I’m over it now. There are other things BPS has to offer. One thing is diversity. I didn’t have that at all. That’s something my son will have in abundance. It’s important, how to relate to people who aren’t exactly like you. He’s going to have access to all sorts of institutions in Boston. Museums. Cultural programs.

Q. What’s been a high point for you in the school search?

A. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with schools, and not fearing as much as I did when my son was 2. I just needed to be comfortable we made the right decision buying a house in the city.

Q. A low point?

A. I visited one school I wasn’t thrilled with. Only one. It was K-8. I didn’t see a lot of separation between higher grades and lower grades. I wasn’t sure I was comfortable having my 4-year-old there.

Q. What school was it?

A. The King School.

Q. Do you find that certain subjects get more reaction?

A. If I express an opinion that might be slightly controversial. I did one on the Lyndon School after I visited it. I had talked to some parents who said they would only consider the Lyndon or Kilmer. The odds of getting in there are minuscule. I was encouraging parents to look at other schools. And really visit them. I also said the Lyndon didn’t seem all that diverse racially. That always gets people, when you talk about race.

Q. Was there ever a post you regretted?

A. I posted and then took one down. It was after the Curley School stabbing (in December 2009). I took it down because I felt like it didn’t happen on school property and may not be a reflection on that school.

Q. Has the application process been stressful?

A. It does cause angst. If you get a really high number, odds are you won’t get what you want.

Q. What if you don’t get your number or your school?

A. I’m going to look at the Conservatory Lab in Brighton, a charter school. It has a heavy focus on music, which would be nice.

Q. Are there certain things, like music, you know you want in a school for Elliot?

A. My husband said proximity to our house would be nice. And my son is really active. He has to have a gym, or he’d go nuts. But these are small schools, they don’t have gyms. We kind of let that one go. There is always after school. I need to feel like the school is not focused solely on MCAS and has a broader vision. If they were all about MCAS, I tend to get a little worried.

Q. Has your husband been as involved as you?

A. He has a job that’s hard to leave. I get that. I’ve shown him the list; he has a little input. My biggest fear is we will pick a school and then he will go visit, and be like, What were you thinking?

Q. Did you ever consider moving to the suburbs for better schools?

A. We looked at the suburbs when we were buying a house. We like being a one-car family. We like everything the city has to offer. We love Boston. The pros outweigh the cons.

Q. How many schools were on your final list?

A. 15.

Q. If you could sit down with Superintendent Carol Johnson, what would you tell her?

A. From a logistical standpoint, it would be nice to register online, and be able to change things up to the deadline. Once you submit, that’s it. As far as the bigger picture, it would be nice if we could just do a neighborhood school system. I get why that’s not possible, I’d just like to make it so we did not have these gigantic assignment zones. I guess I’m looking for a magic bullet. I’m not sure I have advice, but more encouragement.

Q. What will happen to your blog once your son has a school?

A. We may have to go through it next year if we don’t get assigned. If we do get assigned, it’s possible I may continue in some form, as an aggregator of BPS news in the area.

Q. So, how is your traffic?

A. About 10,000 clicks since it started. It’s common to get about 100 clicks a day.

Q. Like authors who constantly check Amazon.com, do you constantly check in, hoping for big days?

A. I’d like to say I don’t care. But it boosts my ego a little bit.

The interview has been edited and condensed.