• Frequently Asked Magnet Questions

    • Q: Are magnet schools the same as charter schools?
      A: No. Magnet schools are public schools offering a specialized theme not available elsewhere, designed to attract a more diverse student body from throughout the school district. In charter schools, however, not all teachers are required to be certified to teach. They also tend to be more racially segregated than traditional public schools and often fail to serve students with special needs and charter schools are exempt from the state-mandated class size requirements from kindergarten through third grade, leading to crowded classrooms. 


    • Q: How can I attend a magnet school?
      A: You may apply to magnet schools during the application period (late October through late January) at https://wcpss.schoolmint.com/login. 

    • Students who are accepted will be notified in late February.

      Q: What do I need to do if my child is selected for a magnet school?
      A: Once you have been notified that you have been accepted into a magnet school, you do not 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 for their first choice only.
       
      Q: Is bus transportation available to magnet students at Wildwood Forest?
      A: No. Currently, magnet students will need their own transportation.

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      Q: If I get into a magnet elementary school, where will my child attend middle school?
      A: Magnet elementary students will have priority when applying to a magnet middle school. They will have the highest priority for the middle school in their pathway. Our pathway middle school is East Millbrook Magnet Middle School who shares our arts and design theme.

    • 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 high school in their pathway.

      Q: How do I register my kindergartner in WCPSS?
      A: Rising kindergartners or students new to Wake County register at the base school. Begin at wcpss.net/enroll.  Once you have completed the enrollment process and get a student identification number, you may apply for a magnet school.

      Q: How many magnet schools may I apply to?
      A: You may apply to up to 5 magnet schools ranking them first choice, second choice…

    • Use https://osageo.wcpss.net/application-schools-lookup/ to identify eligible magnet schools based on your address.

      Q: Are there magnet seats available at Wildwood Forest?
      A: There are currently magnet seats available at each grade level. 

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      Q: Are siblings processed together?
      A: Yes, If all students in a residence (siblings) cannot be selected for the same school, then none are selected.
       
      Q: Are there any entrance requirements for acceptance to a magnet school?
      A: There are no test or performance requirements to apply to our magnet program. 


    • 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. However, magnet students MUST submit an application to continue in a magnet school at the next level (entering middle or high school) and have high priority in selection to the program pathway school at the next level.