Application Process

Students must apply to attend a magnet school. Choosing the right school is crucial, and families are encouraged to explore and research schools and attend school events. These visits provide insights into the location, special programs, and personalized education, helping families find the best fit for their students.

Find Your Fit
Explore and research magnet schools and attend school events to engage in activities that will help you make the best decision possible such as:

• school-based open houses
• camps and workshops
• shadow days
• parent workshops
• community events

To see the location of all CCSD magnet schools, view our CCSD Magnet Programs and Career and Technical Academies Map.

Apply Online

Apply for up to five (5) total schools or programs through the CCSD School Choice application. This includes up to three (3) magnet programs, along with options for Open Enrollment and the Central Technical Training Academy. Submit your application by the specified deadline—no changes can be made once the deadline passes—and check your email for a submission confirmation.

• Check transportation eligibility.
• Apply by the specified deadline.
• Application changes are only permitted before the application deadline.
• Review email confirmation of application submission.

Selection Process

Following the application deadline, qualified applications are entered into the computerized, random lottery system to select applicants for available magnet seats.

Students who apply for and are selected by more than one School Choice option—including Open Enrollment, Magnet, and Central Technical Training Academy programs—may only accept one invitation. Once an invitation is accepted, the student will be removed from all other School Choice alternate and/or late lotteries.

After the lottery
Once applications have been processed through the lottery, families will be notified via email and/or text that the lottery results are available for review. Results may be viewed on the parent dashboard by logging into the CCSD School Choice Application system.

Possible lottery results:

• SELECTED
  • If SELECTED is indicated, your student was offered a seat and families may accept that seat by clicking on the green “Accept” button. Students who apply for and are selected by more than one choice school may only accept one invitation and will be removed from other choice schools’ alternate and late lotteries.
  •  Parents/guardians will receive an email confirming the acceptance of a selected seat. If you do not receive an email confirmation, please log back into your student’s application to ensure that your selection was properly recorded in the system.

• Alternate Pool (the number of applicants exceeded the number of available seats)
  • If ALTERNATE POOL is indicated, no action is required at this time. An alternate pool status means that there were more applicants than available seats. If a seat becomes available, families will receive communication via the CCSD School Choice Application system and the school.

• Not Qualified
  • If NOT QUALIFIED is indicated, that means your student did not meet the criteria qualifications for the program to which they applied. You may contact the school regarding your student’s not qualified status.