Magnet Application Process: 

A child must be 5 years old on or before August 31st of the current school year to attend kindergarten. In accordance with state law, gifted children who are age 4 by April 16th, will also be considered for admission.

In Wake County, students are assigned to a base elementary, middle, and high school for their home address. Find your base school using our address look-up tool.  

In order to finalize the registration process, school staff will review your submission and contact you with the next steps. Please wait for information from your child's base school regarding the completion of the enrollment process. The following documents need to be presented in person at the school in order to complete the registration process even if you have uploaded the document to the online registration:

1. A certified copy of your child's birth certificate. Need a birth certificate? Parents of children born in Wake County may now order certified birth certificates on the Wake County Register of Deeds website.

2. Proof of your Wake County address:

   • Current water, gas, or electric bill in parent's name that is no more than 30 days old

   • Current lease that does not expire before the 25-26 school year.

   • Settlement statement (Offers to Purchase are NOT valid for enrollment at capped schools)

3. A photo ID of the parent or legal custodian

4. Your child's COMPLETED NC Health Assessment and immunization record

5. Any custody documents

Once your registration is processed, the Data Manager from your Base School will give you your child's Powerschool ID number to use for the Magnet Application.

Notification of selection will be on February  20, 2026 via email.  Results will also be in the parent account. 

You may request a transfer between March 2-13, 2026 at wcpss.schoolmint.com. To access the transfer form, click the "+" sign next to the View Submitted Forms link.  Use the text box provided to share details about your request. If your request is denied, you may file an appeal. Families who qualify for magnet priority may be considered for a priority magnet seat, if one is available.  Review your level of priority at wcpss.net/priorities.  Permutations of medium and high socioeconomic status for both the base school and home address give you priority.  You still need an active student ID number to submit the transfer request.

Magnet or year-round application results are not eligible for appeal.  If you are not satisfied with your magnet or year-round school placement, you may apply to attend your base school during the Request for Transfer Period at the end of February 2025.  "Back to base" requests submitted during this transfer period are guaranteed to be approved.  You will remain in the applicant pool for your first choice magnet or year-round school if you request back to your base school.

Students who do not receive a seat at their first-choice magnet or year-round school will be placed in an applicant pool for that school. If you applied to more than one school, you may be assigned to one of your other choices and remain in the applicant pool for your first choice magnet or year-round school.  Applicant pools will be reviewed in the spring. You will be notified in your online account if you receive a seat in your first-choice school.