Choice Schools FAQs

Yes, early college will be processed first. If an applicant is selected for the early college, they will be assigned to the early college and the magnet application will not be processed. If the applicant is not selected for the early college, they will be assigned to the applicant pool (a non-numeric waitlist) for the first choice early college and the magnet application will be processed. If they are not selected for the magnet school, they will be assigned to the applicant pool (a non-numeric waitlist) for the first-choice magnet school. An applicant may be in two applicant pools. 

No. Charter schools operate independently and outside county school districts. 

There are no tests 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.

You may apply to one to five magnet or year-round schools and rank them in the order you wish to be considered.

Yes, if they are applying for the same grade level. If all students in a residence (siblings) cannot be selected for the same grade level (e.g. elementary), then none are selected.

Students with magnet status at a magnet elementary or middle school, have the highest priority and will be selected in an application to the pathway school at the next level. Students with magnet status also have a high, not the highest, priority to any other magnet school at the next level. 

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 magnet school and are placed in an applicant pool (non-numeric waitlist) for their first choice magnet school. 

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.

No, there is no decline option. To be assigned back to the base school or to request a different school, you must submit a transfer request at wcpss.schoolmint.com during the initial transfer period in early March. A request for the base is guaranteed (unless your base school is capped) if submitted during the initial transfer period in early March at wcpss.schoolmint.com

You may submit a request to attend a different school or return to base during the transfer period  in early March at wcpss.schoolmint.com

Magnet elementary students have priority when applying to a magnet middle school. Magnet middle school students have priority in an application to a magnet high school. They have the highest priority for the middle/high school in their program pathway but also have priority to any other magnet middle program. 

Yes, in most cases, but the type of service may vary depending on your school choice and home address. View the list of magnet options for your address to see the level of transportation for each option school. Check transportation options.

No, applicants selected for a magnet school may remain assigned to that school until the end of their 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.

Note: If you move into the base attendance area for a magnet school, you can remain assigned there; however, the child will be assigned as a "base" student and no longer have magnet status.