• WCPSS Magnet Schools

    The purpose of magnet schools is to maximize the use of school facilities and provide innovative educational opportunities. Therefore, we consider two key factors in the selection process for magnet applications:

    • Projected overall socioeconomic status of the school to which that student is assigned for next year. 
    • Socioeconomic status of the area where the applying student resides.

    You can find highlights below about the application and selection process for placement in a magnet school, but you will find far more detailed information on the WCPSS' website, including a step-by-step guide (scroll down to "How to Apply for a Magnet School").

     

    Magnet Application Process

     

    ELIGIBILITY

    Only students who are enrolled in a Wake County Public School System school for current school year can apply. If your student does not currently attend a WCPSS school (i.e., rising into kindergarten, homeschooled, or currently attending a charter or private school) they will need to enroll online and get a student ID number prior to submitting an application.  Note that it takes 24-48 hours for a student ID number to become active in the application portal, so be sure to enroll in your base school at least a full week before you submit an application for the magnet program.

    APPLICATION

    Applications are NOT first-come, first-served. Students who are selected will be automatically assigned to the school for which they are selected. Applicants should ONLY apply to a school or schools they want to attend. Families are notified via email if they receive a seat at a school to which they applied. 

    Tutorial video on how to submit a Magnet/Year-round application

    PRIORITIZATION

    Families can apply to more than one school, including applying to multiple magnet and year-round choice schools.  This is how the district prioritizes:

    Guaranteed priority | Rising 6th and 9th-grade students receive guaranteed priority to join an older sibling assigned as a magnet student at the same school in 2026-2027.

    After assigning students who receive sibling priority, 90% of the available seats will be filled using the following priorities in order:
    • Priority 4 | Base and transfer students at magnet schools who follow their program pathway. (This means base students from Poe or Partnership Elementary.)
    • Priority 5 | Student who is assigned to a next school designated as high socioeconomic status and who lives in an area designated as high socioeconomic status.
    • Priority 6 | Student who is assigned to a next school designated as high socioeconomic status and who lives in an area designated as medium socioeconomic status.
    • Priority 7 | Student who is assigned to a next school designated as medium socioeconomic status and who lives in an area designated as high socioeconomic status.
    • Priority 8 | Student who is assigned to a next school designated as medium socioeconomic status and who lives in an area designated as medium socioeconomic status.
     
    Remaining Seats
    Lottery | The remaining 10% of the available seats will be filled randomly from all remaining applications. This may be reduced to 5% for schools that do not fill 90% of the available seats with priority applicants.
    In addition, students who have been identified as AIG in at least one area can apply twice to Moore Square.  You can request Moore Square once for GT and once for AIG  (provided that your student has the AIG code in Infinite Campus.)  This is not not really part of the priority structure described above, but it does improve your odds of getting admitted to Moore Square.
     

    RESULTS AND OPTIONS

    Applicants who are selected for a magnet school, year-round school, or an early college to which they applied are automatically assigned to that school and are not eligible for appeal. If you are not satisfied with your school placement, you may submit a transfer request to be re-assigned to your base school during the "Request for Transfer Period." Acceptance is guaranteed if the request is made within the Request for Transfer window, unless the base school has an enrollment cap.

    Students who do not receive a seat at their first-choice magnet, early college, or year-round school, will be placed on a non-numeric waiting list, known as an applicant pool, for the school you listed as your first choice.  If you applied to more than one school, you may be assigned to one of your other choices and remain in the applicant pool for your first choice magnet, early college, or year-round school. Applicant pools will be reviewed in the spring. You will be notified via your online account or email if you receive a seat in your first-choice school. 

    What if I missed the application deadline for magnet schools?

    If you missed the magnet application period, you can submit a transfer request at wcpss.schoolmint.com. Click the “+” sign next to the “view submitted forms” link to access the transfer form. Use the available text box to share information about your request. If it is denied, you can request an appeal.  It may not be easy to be approved for a magnet school, as seats are limited.
     
     
    Please email magnetcenter@wcpss.net with questions about magnet selection.  (Personnel at the school level are not involved in the selection process.)