Magnet School Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are magnet schools the same as charter schools?

A: No. Charter schools operate outside county school districts.

Q: How can I attend a magnet school?

A: You may apply to magnet schools during the application period, Oct. 14-Jan. 25, 2023.

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 placed in an applicant pool 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. They have highest priority for the middle 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. Visit the magnet webpage link to access the K-12 pathways chart.

Q: How do I register my kindergartner in WCPSS?

A: Rising kindergartners or students new to Wake County register at the base  school – October 14, 2022 wcpss.net/enroll. Students must have a student identification number to apply for a magnet, early college, or year-round

Q: To 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  https://osageo.wcpss.net/application-schools-lookup/  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 even if you are selected for a second or third choice. 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: 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 (Feb 24-Mar 9)

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.

Q: Do I have to apply every year to keep my magnet seat?

A: Guaranteed assignment until the terminal grade. High priority to the program pathway school. MUST submit an application to continue in a magnet school at the next grade 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.