Magnet Academies
Magnet Application Round Schedule.pdfNew
Magnet Academies Open House Schedule
Greenville County Schools' Magnet Academies offer unique educational choices to the students of Greenville County. The academic program of each magnet academy offers a theme or focus that is designed to give students an opportunity to explore a special interest, gift, talent, or skill.
Admission into magnet academies is open to all eligible students, but spaces are limited. Applications are scored based on four criteria: attendance, discipline, grade average (student interview in Grades K-5, 1, 2), and a student statement indicating why the student would like to attend the magnet academy. Students who apply and qualify during the first application period have a greater chance of being offered a slot than those students who apply and qualify in later rounds.
Mark these important dates!
November 13, 2023: Magnet School Applications are available through Backpack. They can be submitted from this time until the end of the round 1 application window.
December 1, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.: Round 1 application window closes.
December 8, 2022: Parents are notified if their student has been given a spot at the magnet academy.
December 15, 2022: Deadline for parents to respond to reserve a place for their student.
***IMPORTANT!***
It is especially important that you turn in the magnet application to your desired school by the Round 1 application deadline to make sure your child has the best chance of being accepted. While applications are accepted after this date, there is usually a waiting list for the magnet academies after the first round. Students who apply in later rounds have a significantly decreased chance of being able to attend.
How Do I apply?
The process begins with a 3- to 4-page application, available through Parent Backpack at the beginning of the application window. Alternatively, you can contact the magnet academy and request a paper version, which must be dropped off in person at the magnet academy.
Important things to note about the application process:
You may apply to more than one magnet academy using the same application link in Parent Backpack.
Each application includes space for a statement in which the student must explain why he or she wants to go to that magnet academy. This statement must be completed by the student.
Please check with the magnet academy to know if additional paperwork is required to complete your application. More information can be found in this document.
Applications receive a score based on attendance, discipline, grade average, and the student statement.
Magnet academies begin offering slots at the school to students with the highest application scores first, until they run out of places. If there are more students with the same score than slots available, they randomly assign slots until they run out of places.
Once parents are informed that their child has been offered a slot at the magnet academy, they have one week to reply. If they fail to reply by the deadline, their child’s slot will be given to the next student on the waitlist.
Bus transportation is available to magnet students, whether they live in the magnet academy attendance zone or not.
More Information About the GCS Middle Magnet Academies
Click on a school below to learn more about what programs they offer and see their virtual open houses.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to e-mail me at ccooker@greenville.k12.sc.us or call 864-452-0504.