Application Process and Schedule for the 2008-09 School Year

The dates on this page apply to the 2008-2009 school year.

Application Schedule

Kindergarten registration begins February 7, 2008 (all magnet applicants must be registered in the Wake County Public School System before submitting a magnet application.)
Families will be able to see all their assignment options online by Feb. 7, 2008
Magnet applications available online starting February 11, 2008. The application period ends February 29, 2008. Magnet applications will only be accepted online.
Applications must be time-stamped electronically no earlier than February 11, 2008 and no later than February 29, 2008.
All magnet applicants will be notified around March 14, 2008.
The last day to decline a magnet offer will be April 14, 2008.

To Apply to a Magnet School

There are no special performance standards or test scores required for admission. (Admission to the AG Basics Middle School Program is the exception: please refer to the AG description).

Students Not In a Magnet Program

If you are new to Wake County or have a rising kindergartner, please register your child(ren) at their base school before submitting a magnet application.

Read the available information, explore options, and choose a magnet program (determine your options based on your street address).

Complete an online application for each child between February 11-29, 2008. Applications timestamped before the 11th and after the 29th will be considered as late applications.

So long as your application meets the "on-time" criteria above, how early or late in the official application period you submit it has no effect on your chances.

There will be no hard copies of the magnet application available. All magnet applications must be submitted online.

Current Magnet Students

Students admitted into the magnet program may remain in the program at the same school through that particular grade configuration (i.e., K-5, 6-8, 9-12) without submitting another application. Students in fifth and eighth grades in a program magnet school must apply for middle and high school program magnets. Rising 5th graders interested in continuing in the year-round program, must submit an application during the application period, February 11-29, 2008.

Kindergarten Registration

Register your child entering kindergarten at your base school in addition to applying for a magnet school. Kindergarten registration begins February 7, 2008. Call your base school for enrollment information.

If Your Child is Accepted

You will be notified of acceptance (or denial) around March 14, 2008. If accepted, you will have the opportunity to accept or decline the offer. (Please do not call the Office of Growth Management for assignment information unless you have not received notification by March 20, 2008.)

Criteria for Acceptance of Students

Considered

Was the application on-time? (see above)
Transportation patterns
Siblings
School capacity
Classroom capacity
Diversity
Present magnet/year-round status of applicant

Not Considered

How early your application arrives
Additional information or extenuating circumstances
Requests for specific schools (Applications are for programs. School assignment is based on the home address.)

Special Year-Round Notes

Once enrolled in a year-round school, students may not change tracks during the first year.