Why Choose a Magnet School?

Curriculum

Magnet schools use themes, or innovative focuses, to provide electives and interesting curricula that goes well beyond what is offered at traditional schools. In order to push students to become leaders for change, Wake County Magnet Schools implement hands-on learning and foster creative environments that allow students to become independent and curious. Wake County offers a variety of themes across elementary, middle, and high school levels, allowing students to apply to programs that fit their interests. Language immersion, Gifted and Talented, and International Baccalaureate programs can span a child's education K-12. Other themes include Engineering, Global Studies, Digital Sciences, and Leadership and Technology.

Diversity

Wake County Magnet Schools give students from all over the country the opportunity to come together for a new experience. By enrolling students from neighborhoods of different racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds, magnet schools create a diverse student body. This allows students to explore beyond their own neighborhood and socialize with others that bring new experiences and perspectives.

Frequently Asked Magnet Questions

• Q: Are magnet schools the same as charter schools?
  A: No. Charter schools operate independently and outside county school districts.
  
  Q: How can I attend a magnet school?
  A: You may apply to magnet schools during the application period on the Wake County Public School System main website.  

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  Q: What do I need to do if my child is selected for a magnet school or year-round school?
  A: You don’t have to do anything else. Students who are selected are automatically assigned to that school. Students selected for a school other than their first choice are assigned to that school AND placed in an applicant pool (non-numeric waitlist) for their first choice.
  
  Q: Is bus transportation available to magnet or year-round students?
  A: Yes, in most cases, but the type of service may vary depending on your school choice and home address. To check transportation options, visit wcpss.net/preview
  
  Q: If I get into a magnet elementary school, where will my child attend middle school?
  A: Magnet elementary students have priority when applying to a magnet middle school. Magnet middle school students have priority when applying to a magnet high school. They have highest priority for the middle/high school in their program pathway but also have priority to any other magnet middle program.
  
  Q: What is a pathway?
  A: Pathways allow students to continue with their chosen magnet theme from kindergarten through senior year of high school, if they choose. Students get a high priority for placement when continuing to a magnet middle or magnet high school in their pathway.
  The pathways are: • Leadership & Technology • Gifted & Talented • International Baccalaureate • Language Immersion/Global Studies. View the pathway chart at wcpss.net/pathways.
  
  Q: How do I register my kindergartner in WCPSS?
  A: Rising kindergartners or students new to Wake County register at the base school –  wcpss.net/enroll.  Once you complete the enrollment process and get a student identification number, you may apply for a magnet, early college, or year-round
  
  Q: How many magnet and year-round schools may I apply?
  A: You may apply to 1-5 magnet programs/schools and 1-2 year round schools ranking them first choice, second choice…Use www.wcpss.net/eligble to identify eligible magnet schools based on your address.
  
  Q: Is there a waitlist?
  A: Any student NOT selected for their first choice school is placed in an applicant pool (non-numeric waitlist) even if you are selected for another school to which you applied. An applicant could be in several applicant pools (early college, magnet/year-round). Selection to another school does NOT impact place in the applicant pool
  
  Q: Are siblings processed together?
  A: If all students in a residence (siblings) cannot be selected for the same grade level (e.g. elementary), then none are selected.
  
  Q: Can I decline my magnet or year-round acceptance?
  A: No, there is no decline option. To request a different school or the base school, you must submit a transfer request at transfers.wcpss.net/apply. Request for base is guaranteed if submitted during the initial transfer period in February/March.
  
  Q: How can I return to base after applying to a magnet or year-round school?
  A: You may submit a request to attend a different school or return to base, during the transfer period at transfers.wcpss.net/apply
  
  Q: Are there any entrance requirements for acceptance to a magnet school?
  A: There are no test or performance requirements to apply to a magnet program except for the AIG Basics program at the middle school level. Applicants to the AIG Basics program at the middle school level must have WCPSS AIG identification.
  
  Q: Do I have to apply every year to keep my magnet seat?
  A:  No, applicants selected for a magnet school may remain assigned to that school until the final grade as long as they reside in Wake County. Magnet students MUST submit an application to continue in a magnet school at the next grade level and have high priority in selection to the program pathway school at the next level.
  
  Q: From elementary to middle and from middle to high school, do magnet students get any priority in the selection process?
  A: Yes, magnet students have high priority in the selection process.

Understanding Your Results

In the application portal for your magnet, year-round, or early college results, you will see one of the following for each of your choices: 

• Green dot, "School Name": assigned/offer accepted (approved)

• Orange dot, "Applicant Pool": Any student NOT selected for their first choice school is placed in an applicant pool (non-numeric waitlist) even if you are selected for another school to which you applied. An applicant could be in several applicant pools (early college, magnet/year-round). Selection to another school does NOT impact place in the applicant pool.

• Orange dot, "Unassigned/ Submitted": not approved.

• Red dot, "Unassigned": not approved.