Frequently Asked Questions About the Magnet School Application and Placement Process
Who may attend a magnet school?
Those eligible to apply to attend a magnet school are any student living in St. Louis City and non-African American students living in participating school districts in St. Louis County. The participating school districts in St. Louis County are Affton, Bayless, Brentwood, Clayton, Hancock Place, Kirkwood, Ladue, Lindbergh, Mehlville, Parkway, Pattonville,
Ritenour, Rockwood, Valley Park and Webster Groves. St. Louis County students are not eligible for the magnet preschool program.
Which magnet school is best for my child?
Only you can decide. Consider your child's interests and abilities, and
learn about the school options available to you. Contact the school for a
personal tour. The school staff will be happy to answer specific questions
you may have.
Must I list more than one school choice on my application?
No. You may list up to three schools. If there is only one school
that interests you and your child, you may limit your application to that
school. Please DO NOT list choices for schools that you are not willing to
accept.
How will I know you received my applications?
We will mail you a receipt verifying that we have received your
application. Please review it carefully to ensure all information is
correct. If you do not receive a receipt within 10 days of mailing your
application, city families should contact our office at 314.633.5213 and county
families should call VICC at 314.721.8422, ext. 3015.
When is the Magnet
School Lottery?
The lottery takes place on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. The lottery
for special education students will take place on Monday, March 9, 2009,* after
scheduled IEP conferences are completed.
*This date is subject to change.
What are my child's chances of being
accepted to a magnet school?
Acceptance rates vary from year to year; there are always more applicants than
available spaces. Usually about one-third of city applicants and about
one-half of county applicants are accepted.
How will I find out if my child
is accepted?
City families may learn the results by calling the Recruitment and Counseling
Center at 314.633.5213. County families may call the VICC Office at
314.721.8422, ext. 3015 beginning Tuesday, February 17, 2009. Acceptance
letters will be mailed in late February.
What do I do after my child is
accepted?
Hold on to your acceptance letter! You'll need it when you enroll your
child in school. You'll also need to return the Intent to Attend form by
the deadline date specified. We will explain the enrollment process during
the Open House for Newly Accepted Students on May 5, 2009. If your child
is accepted after this date, but before the first day of school, the school will
contact you about the enrollment process. If your child is accepted after
the school year has begun, call the school directly to discuss enrollment.
What
if I change my mind after my child is accepted?
City families should inform the Recruitment and Counseling Center in
writing. If you reject the acceptance, your child will be assigned to his
or her neighborhood school. County families should notify the VICC Office.
What
if my child is not chosen through the lottery?
Your child's name is placed on a waiting list. If additional spaces become
available during the school year, you will be notified. In the meantime,
county students can remain at their current school. If your child is not
accepted by Friday, May 18, 2009, you'll need to submit a new application for
the following school year. Applications do not carry over from year to
year.
What if my child is not accepted to his or her first choice?
If you listed more than one choice on your application, and your child is
accepted to his or her second or third choice, that is the school he or she will
be eligible to attend in the 2009-2010 school year. His or her name will
NOT automatically go on the waiting list for your first choice.
If you are still interested in being considered for your first choice school, you must submit a new application to go on that school's waiting list.
Once my child
is accepted, do I need to reapply each year?
No. Once your child is accepted, you do not have to reapply each year,
presuming he or she will be continuing at the same magnet school.
 | Students completing grade 2 in a magnet early childhood education center receive continuity placement in a magnet elementary school. These students must submit applications. |
| Students completing grade 5 in a magnet elementary school and grade 8 in a magnet middle school receive priority placement for the next level. Depending on the schools they attend, they may be required to provide a continuity application and determination of eligibility. These forms will be mailed to your home. |
My child attends a magnet school, but wants to transfer to a different
magnet school next year. What do I do?
You must submit a new application and be accepted through the lottery.
Your child will keep a spot in his or her current school until (1) he or she is
accepted into the new school and (2) you've completed and returned the
enrollment paperwork.
I have more questions. Whom should I call?
For questions about the application and placement process, St. Louis City residents should call (314)
633-5213. St. Louis County residents should call
(314) 721-8422, ext. 3015.
For specific questions about each magnet school, you are encouraged to call each school directly.
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