• Lottery Application Period (for 2026-2027 School-Year):  Opens January 5, 2026. 

• The parent or legal guardian/custodian must have a valid email address (not the student's email address) or phone number to create an online account, submit an application, and receive application updates in the application portal:  SchoolMint Application Account at https://applydpsnc.schoolmint.com 
  
  

• Application access and assistance:

  • Use a SmartPhone, Tablet, or Computer (may be accessed at the Public Library) to access the SchoolMint Application site at https://applydpsnc.schoolmint.com 

  • For assistance, schedule an appointment by calling

    • English:  919-560-2059

    • Spanish:  919-560-2510

2026-27  School Year Application Process

• Application Process: 

  • Once the student completes the application (via SchoolMint – https://applydpsnc.schoolmint.com), parents will receive an email with detailed information regarding the next steps.

• Lottery Notification Results Posted: March 2, 2026 Lottery notification results will be e-mailed and posted on the Parent Dashboard of the parent/guardian SchoolMint Application Account at https://applydpsnc.schoolmint.com 

• Deadline to Accept Assigned Lottery Seats: March 13, 2026 5pm Parent/Guardian must accept the lottery seat by this deadline.  Lottery assignments not accepted by this deadline will be automatically marked as a declined seat. If an applicant accepts a lottery assignment, his/her name will be removed from all other lottery application waitlist(s). Declined seats are final and cannot be reclaimed.
  
  

• Assigned Applicants – Applicants who are offered a magnet or CTE Pathway lottery seat may decline their assignment and remain wait-listed for a possible later assignment to another school/program/pathway applied for.
  
  

• Waitlisted Applicants – If seats become available, applicants who are waitlisted will be assigned in the numbered order in which they are waitlisted. 

• Exceptional Children’s Programs (ECP) -  Please note:  ECP may override lottery assignments for students whose IEP teams indicate the need for a separate/self-contained placement.