Looking for an effective way to fast-track your child’s education (without paying for pricey private schools?)

Applications are currently open for Wake County’s award-winning Magnet School Programs — offering free, public education programs with a focus on a wide range of subjects + disciplines, from STEM and the arts to global studies and language immersion.

Best of all, they’re open to all students in Wake County K-12 — no fees, entry tests, or auditions required.

Here’s how to get your child enrolled:

Step one: Explore your options

The current Magnet Application Period is open now through Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. During this time, parents and prospective students are encouraged to:

Explore the 30+ local Magnet Programs
Attend an open house or schedule a private tour (highly recommended for all parents)
Connect with current staff
See the magnet program in action
Get a feel for the unique learning environments

In short, this window is your chance to see if your child would benefit from these specialized programs.

Step two: Select your preferred programs

Once you feel you’ve found a fit, all that’s left is submitting your application.

Wake County has streamlined the process for parents in a major way, and you can apply for multiple programs — all from the comfort of your couch.

Here’s what that looks like:

Create a parent account
Choose your schools: Select between one and five magnet schools you’re interested in and rank them in order of preference.
Submit your application before Thursday, Jan. 23.

Prop tip: If your family is new to WCPSS, you’ll need to enroll first to receive your student ID number.

Step three: See where you’ve been accepted

Once the application is submitted, all that’s left is to view your child’s placement in a program.

That info will be released on Saturday, Feb. 22, via the same portal you submitted your application. Ready to get started?

Explore all 30+ Magnet Programs