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Cincinnati Public's magnet school lottery is now open. Here's how to apply

WCPO
The School for Creative and Performing Arts is one of 22 magnet schools within CPS.

Parents looking to enroll their child in one of Cincinnati Public's magnet schools can start applying now through the district's online lottery application process. Students who already have a sibling in a magnet preschool or elementary school will be given priority admission into the same school.

CPS recently simplified the lottery process by having one extended application period for magnet, high school, and out-of-neighborhood schools. In previous years, the district had multiple rounds throughout the year for submitting applications, and until 2015, required parents to hand in paper forms in-person which resulted in people camping out in front of schools to get their applications in as early as possible.

The district says having this extended period for submissions slows down the rush of applications the district receives at the start of the period and allows families to carefully consider which schools will better suit their needs.

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CPS currently offers 22 magnet schools and programs, but that could change by next fall. District leaders are currently considering a redistricting plan that could result in Woodford Academy, William H. Taft Elementary, and College Hill Fundamental Academy losing their magnet statuses. A spokesperson for the district says these schools will remain an option for applicants until a final decision is made by the Board of Education. The enrollment period is open Nov. 1 through Dec. 31.

How to submit an application

Parents or guardians interested in submitting an application will need to do it through the CPS website and create an online account and password before entering their student's information.

Only one application can be submitted per student each year, but up to three magnet schools can be selected per application.

Once submitted, every application is given a randomly generated lottery number offering each student an equal chance of landing in their top magnet school.

All applications sent in during their extended period will receive equal consideration.

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Students can choose to enroll in magnet schools in their area or apply to join one of the six citywide schools open to all students in the district.

Students and their parents will find out which magnet school they've been placed into starting Feb. 25, 2025.

Updated: December 6, 2023 at 2:46 PM EST
This article was first published Dec. 6, 2022 and has been updated.
Zack Carreon is Education reporter for WVXU, covering local school districts and higher education in the Tri-State area.