FAQS: Magnet Programs

I found out about my child’s proximity results but we are on the magnet waitlist. How will that work?

Magnet waitlists are currently being processed. If your student holds a position on the magnet waitlist and is able to be placed in their first choice magnet school, you will be notified on March 23, 2012.  Because those numbers are still being processed, updated capacity numbers for remaining proximity and magnet seats will not be posted online until the magnet waitlist notification process is complete.

Participation in magnet selection during round two will remove your student from their first choice waitlist position from the Magnet Round. Asking for the same school as a first choice in round two will negatively impact your waitlist position by assigning you to a lower position on that school’s waitlist.

Participation in only the Proximity part of Choice Round 2 will not affect your student's magnet waitlist position. If your student is on an early college or leadership academies waiting list, that position is not affected by your participation in Choice Round 2.

I am still interested in applying for a magnet school after the selection round ended. How can I do that?

At the end of the proximity choice round, open magnet seats will be available. At that time, you may participate by ranking schools with open seats at your child’s grade level.  If a student is selected for a magnet school, that magnet school will become their assignment and their previous seat will be released and assigned to another student on the waitlist.

I thought that open magnet seats would be available during the first proximity choice selection round. Where are they listed?

They will be available after the first proximity choice selection round. If a student is selected for a magnet school, that magnet school will become their assignment and their previous seat will be released and assigned to another student on the waitlist.

My child was selected for a magnet school. What do I need to do now?

You don’t have to do anything; this school is now your student’s school assignment for the 2012-2013 school year. Each magnet school will host a “Welcome Event” so that students who were selected can learn more about the school. The school will correspond with families about the date for that event.

If I am on the waitlist for a magnet school, what do I need to do?

You don’t have to do anything. Your child’s name will remain on the magnet waitlist even if you are selected for a school in the proximity choice selection round. Parents will be notified by mail if a vacancy opens, at which time their student will be automatically assigned to their first choice magnet school. This means the student will be released from their previous assignment and assigned to their first choice magnet school. The wait list will remain in place until June 29, 2012.

If for any reason you are no longer interested in attending that magnet school, you may notify the Office of Student Assignment to have your child’s name removed from the waitlist.  A written request is required to remove a student from the waitlist, and we must receive it in advance of the notification date that follows the current choice selection round.  You can email studentassignment@wcpss.net, fax 919-431-7302 or mail/hand-deliver your request to the Office of Student Assignment by February 24 for the March 16 assignment notification, by April 9 for the April 26 assignment notification, by May 25 for the May 29 assignment notification, and by June 22 for the June 27 assignment notification. UPDATED 4/20/12

 

Why do some people see Ligon or Carnage twice on their list? I only see Ligon once.

Students who are identified as Academically Gifted will see both an AG Basics option and a Gifted and Talented option at the middle school level. Students who are not AG identified will not see an AG Basics option at the middle school level.

If my child is a magnet student at a school that is now on their proximity list, how can they switch so they can follow the proximity pathway?

Families are not able to change their status at a school they are currently attending. They may participate in the proximity choice selection at a grade span change (rising into sixth or ninth grade) and apply for the feeder middle or high school on their proximity choice list. If they are not selected, they maintain their magnet status, follow their magnet feeder pattern and are placed on the wait list for their first choice school. If a student is selected for a proximity choice seat, they will be assigned to that school and their magnet seat will be released to be assigned to another student on the waitlist. (Updated 2/2/11)

How can I learn about the schools on my magnet and choice lists?

Most magnet schools host weekly tours for families. You may contact them directly for their tour schedule. Choice schools will also host tours. Check their websites for information about school fairs and tours.

Does my child have to be academically gifted in order to apply to an AG Basics program?

At the elementary level, a child does not have to be identified as academically gifted to apply for an AG Basics program. At the middle school level, only students who are AG-identified are able to apply for the AG Basics program.

How many schools can I apply to in the magnet selection round?

A student may apply for as few as one or as many as five magnet schools.

Where can I see a list of performance for every school so that I will know which are high, middle or low performing?

Individual school performance is available at http://www.wcpss.net/school-directory/. You can also visit http://www.wcpss.net/test-scores/ for tables that compare school results.

Will magnet schools remain where they are now?

There are no plans currently to move any magnet programs under this plan.

Can students switch magnet pathways at 6th and 9th grade?

Students at all grade levels in all schools will be able to participate every year in the choice selection process based on available seats if they want to change their pathway/feeder pattern.

Will a current WCPSS student who decides to participate in the magnet selection process lose the seat they already have?

Any student who participates in the magnet selection process and is selected will be assigned to that school.   This assignment will take the place of their current assignment.  A student who is not selected will placed on the waitlist for their first choice school and will maintain their current assignment.