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What are magnet programs?
Magnet programs are theme-oriented courses of study that provide students with in-depth experiences in particular areas of interest. While some magnet programs exist within comprehensive schools, there are also magnet schools whose entire student body is composed of magnet students. All magnet programs fulfill Dallas ISD requirements for promotion and graduation.
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What is the purpose of a magnet program?
Magnet programs have three major goals: to provide district distinct choices for students with different interests, talents, and aptitudes; to develop innovative instructional practices; and to promote diversity within schools.
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How do I apply to a magnet school?
If your student would like to apply to a magnet program, you will need to submit a Choose Dallas ISD application by the January 31, 2022 deadline. You may apply to no more than two magnet programs and will be required to upload the following documents prior to submitting the application: most recent report card, most recent test scores, and proof of address. After submitting your application, the school will be in touch with you to schedule an interview or audition if your student qualifies.
Magnet programs that do not fill as a result of the initial application window may accept more applications via the Choose Dallas ISD system beginning on March 21, 2022.
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Will I need to rank my school choices?
Yes. You will be asked to rank your school selections in order of preference. The numeric ranks you assign to each of your school choices will be very important, as this information will determine which offer your student will receive.
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How are Magnet students assigned to schools?
If your student is interested in a Dallas ISD magnet school, you will need to submit a Choose Dallas ISD application. Each application submitted by January 31, 2022 will go through the following process:
1. Eligibility is Determined
Prior to being considered for enrollment, it will need to be determined if your student is eligible for the magnet school they are applying to.
Please visit the Magnet Eligibility and Process page on the Dallas ISD Magnet webpage for more information.
If your student is deemed "ineligible" to attend a magnet school to which they've applied, the school will email you to let you know. If you student is deemed "eligible", their application will move to the next step in the process, which may include an on-campus assessment or interview.
2. On-Campus Assessment/Interview (if applicable)
If your student has applied to a Dallas ISD magnet school, they may be required to attend either an on-campus assessment or interview. School staff will be in contact with you to schedule a time and date for this appointment.
During your student's assessment or interview, they will be assessed by the school staff and given a score or set of scores that will allow the school to rank them amongst other applicants. These scores will help determine whether or not your student will ultimately receive an offer to the school.
3. Magnet Selection Process
Seats will be awarded based on the following formula:
- 30% of the seats are awarded districtwide by rank-ordering of applicants based on overall criteria score without consideration of feeder pattern or sibling status
- 70% of the seats are awarded within the comprehensive high school feeder patterns (adjusted proportionally for student population) by rank-ordering of applicants based on overall criteria score; subjct to sibling rule or preference
Qualified applicants who are not selected due to limited space will be placed on a rank-ordered waiting list. The waiting list will remain active until the end of Dallas ISD's first grading period and student vacancies will be filled until that time.
Please visit the Magnet Eligibility and Process page on the Dallas ISD magnet webpage for more information.
4. Offer Determination - For all Choice schools selected on your application
In order to maximize the number of students who will receive offers to the schools of their choosing, each applicant may receive no more than one enrollment offer.
To determine which offer will be sent to your student, the Choose Dallas ISD system will look at all schools at which your student is in "pre-offer" status (meaning, they got in via the selection process). The "pre-offer" at your highest-ranked school will be the one offer that your student received. All lower-ranked "pre-offer" statuses will be automatically withdrawn and your student will no longer be considered for enrollment there.
5. Parent Notifications Sent
On March 1, 2022, all applicants will receive an email (and text, if applicable) letting them know their student's status at each of the schools to which they applied.
Enrollment Offer: all offers are subject to Choose Dallas ISD terms and conditions and msut be officially accepted within the allotted time. You may accept or decline the offer by logging into the Choose Dallas ISD system.
Wait Listed: your student will be wait listed at any school they ranked higher (i.e. wanted more) than the offer they received. He/She will remain on the schools wait list until one of two things occur: 1. either space becomes available or 2. your remove them from the wait list (telling the school you want to be removed and no longer interested in enrolling there). Wait list placement can be viewed by loggin into the Choose Dallas ISD system. The magnet wait list will expire at the end of the first grading period for the 2022/23 school year and will not roll over.
Withdrawn: your student's application will be withdrawn from any school they ranked lower (i.e. wanted less) than the offer they received. He/She will no longer be considered for enrollment at the school(s). If you change your mind and would like your student to be considered for enrollment again, you will need to submit a Round 2 application. Round 2 applications will only be available for schools that have space available in the CHoose Dallas ISD system beginning March 21, 2022. Round 2 applicants will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis and may be required to go through steps 1 & 2 again.
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How and when will I be notified of acceptance into a magnet school?
Qualified applicants who have been assigned a seat in the magnet program will be notified by e-mail via the SchoolMint system on March 1, 2022.
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What does it mean to be on the waiting list?
Receiving a place on the waiting list means that the applicant met the criteria for the program but that more applicants met the criteria than were seats available. When the number of qualified students exceed the number of available seats in a magnet program, a rank ordered waiting list is used to determine which students will be placed in the available seats. Those students who meet the criteria but who are not chosen through the available selection process are placed on the waiting list for that program. If a student who has been accepted declines to accept a seat in the magnet program, the school will contact the next person on the waiting list to offer that student the seat.
The wait list does not roll over from year to year, it is only maintained until the last day of the first six weeks grading period for the existing grade level. Students must apply each year for the next grade level. -
What can I do if I am not accepted?
A student who is not accepted should first carefully review the notification received with his or parent/guardian to ensure that the information in the notification accurately reflects the information that was submitted. If the applicant so desires, he or she may file a written appeal to have the record reviewed and a final decision rendered by the Executive Director of Magnet Programs. All appeals are researched to ensure that the schools followed the procedures outlined in the Magnet Selection Process in a fair and consistent manner.
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What if I missed the deadline?
There are no exceptions. Applications must be submitted online by January 31, 2022.
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Can I apply to the magnet programs during the spring semester?
Applications are accepted beginning November 1st - January 31st for the following school year only.
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If I change my mind or if I am not satisfied with the magnet school, can I transfer back to my home school?
Students will have a two-week window at the beginning of the school year in which to transfer back to their home school. After the two-week window expires, students are required to remain the full year.
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Can my child automatically be assigned to a magnet program if he/she has a sibling currently attending the magnet school?
Siblings must apply to the magnet program and meet the criteria in order to be selected.
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What if my child receives special education services?
It is the policy of Dallas ISD to afford equal opportunity in education to all students. Students receiving special education services are given the same consideration in the selection process as all other students. The individual needs of the student, as indicated in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), can be addressed during any audition or performance assessment. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide the IEP or 504 Plan with the application.
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If my child is currently enrolled in a magnet program, do they need to reapply?
Current magnet students do not need to apply in order to remain in their present magnet school.
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If my child is currently attending a magnet program in another district and we move, are they automatically transferred into the Dallas ISD Magnet Program?
No, you will need to complete an application to enroll your child in the Dallas ISD Magnet Programs. Placement in a magnet program will be based on space availability, along with an academic/assessment to which the student is applying.
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Can my child participate in extracurricular activities at their home school?
UIL rules permit students who attend a magnet high school to have their eligibility at their magnet high school or at their neighborhood high school. A student is prohibited from representing more than one UIL number. Talk to your magnet school principal for clarification.
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What about transportation?
Transportation is provided for students residing more than two miles from magnet schools who are accepted in the magnet program and live within the Dallas ISD attendance boundary zone. Students will be notified of their respective pick-up point prior to the opening of school for the upcoming year. Students are responsible for their own transportation to the pick-up points. To secure a bus stop at the start of the school year, elementary or middle school students must include an elementary school pick-up site on their application. High school applicants must include a high school pick-up site on their application. Out of district, students will be responsible for their own transportation.
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When will I receive the transportation schedule?
The transportation schedule will be mailed to eligible parents the week prior to the first day of school.