FAQs

Are magnet applications accepted "first come, first served"?

No, magnet applications are not accepted on a first-come ,first serve basis. However, students who qualify in the first round are offered slots before anyone who qualifies in the second round, as long as the minimum score required for qualification is met. Because Stone Academy receives a lot of applications, we ask that families apply in Round #1 in order to have their best chances of being approved.

How Are Magnet Students Chosen?
A computerized lottery system is used when there are more qualifying applicants than available slots, which is usually always the case at Stone Academy. Applicants with the highest score are chosen first. Applicants with the same score are arranged by a computer lottery. Applicants are chosen in rank order by score until all slots are filled. Waiting Lists are formed when there are not enough open slots.

How are Magnet Applications Scored?
In order to qualify, a student must score between 16-22 points.

Elementary Magnet Applications are scored based on 4 criteria:

1. Attendance

2. Grades (3rd,4th,5th grade applicants)

Assessment (K5, 1st,2nd grade applicants)

3. Discipline

4. Parent Statement (mention the specific “focus” of the school)

How many magnet students are accepted each year?
The number of magnet students a magnet academy can accept is determined by the district enrollment projections done by the District Planning Department. Therefore, students who apply and qualify during the first round have a greater chance of being offered a slot than those who qualify in later rounds. Stone Academy has a large number of students who live within the attendance area. These students are automatically assigned to our school based on their home-based address. However, Stone is a magnet school and any family that lives within Greenville County is able to apply. We currently have 20 % of magnet students at Stone Academy. This number is subject to change based on many factors - neighborhood enrollment, grade level enrollment, approved magnet slots.

Once my student is approved as a magnet student at Stone Academy, can I accept the slot and stay on other Magnet school's waiting lists? No. Once you are approved and you officially "accept" your slot at any magnet academy, you are removed from all other magnet academy waiting lists. We encourage families to be prepared with their decision if and when another magnet academy contacts them to offer their child a magnet slot.

Once I become a magnet student at Stone, do I have to re-apply each year in order to stay a magnet student at Stone?
No. Current and returning Magnet Students have automatic renewal of their magnet status. However, if your child is in the 5th grade and not returning to Stone the following year, you will need to apply to a Magnet Middle School if you do not plan to attend your home-base school for 6th-8th grade.
If a student leaves a magnet academy and enrolls at another school, he/she surrenders the magnet academy slot.

What is the Sibling Policy? Siblings of magnet students who will return to Stone the following school year are given priority in acceptance only in Round 1. Therefore, it is very important that siblings of magnet students submit applications by the Round 1 deadline. They must complete the application and learn the minimum qualifying score. There is never a guarantee that any student will be approved for a magnet slot, however applying in Round 1 gives you your best chance.

What if I currently live in the Stone Academy attendance area but plan to move?
Home base students who move outside of Stone's attendance zone during the 2021-22 school year must submit magnet applications and be accepted in order to return to Stone during the 2022-23 school year. Parents are permitted to submit magnet applications even if they have not yet moved to the new address. We highly encourage parents to apply in Application Round #1.

What if we currently live out of state but are moving to Greenville, what address should I use on the application? You should use the address that you are currently living at at the time that you apply. If and when your child is approved for a magnet slot, you will then need to provide us with proper documents with a Greenville County address. If your circumstances are different, we will guide you on a case by case need. Out of District applicants are able to attend a magnet academy, but will have to pay a fee for out of county residence. If this is the case, we will give you this information at that time.

What if I want my magnet student to be a GCS virtual student?
Students accepted into the virtual program for will not be eligible for magnet academies or change in assignment choice. If a student is approved for a magnet or choice slot after being accepted in the virtual program, parents must state their intent by the deadline or forfeit their choice/magnet slot.