Frequently Asked Questions

1. Applying is as simple as 1, 2, 3. 
   1. 1 - Create your account
   2. 2 - Associate your student(s)
   3. 3 - Make your selections

All available School Choice seats will be allocated across three socioeconomic status (SES) categories (high, medium, and low) to achieve the greatest socioeconomic diversity possible. Each student will have priority for one of these categories based on home address and data families will be asked to provide during the lottery application. To see the SES distribution across Mecklenburg County per the 2020 Census, click here.

1. Continuation guarantee – Students already in a magnet program are guaranteed a spot in the next grade level of the same program, if available. 
2. The Sibling guarantee – If a student applies to join a sibling at a magnet school, they’re given a seat too.
3. Transportation Zone priority – Students who live in the school’s transportation zone get priority over those who don’t.

1. You must first register your student in CMS. 
2. Once registered, families will need the student’s ID Number to submit a lottery application.

No. The CMS School Choice lottery is free and open for all CMS families to apply.

No. Once your child is accepted, they can stay at that school through all grade levels as long as they remain in the district and meet the continuation requirements. Some schools also allow automatic continuation to the next level of the magnet program, like moving from elementary to middle or middle to high school.

A student who withdraws from a program loses their seat at that school. The family would need to re-register with CMS and they would be re-assigned to their home school (if they reside in Mecklenburg County).  In order to return to a magnet program the family would need to engage in the lottery process again.

You may select up to three. 

At the end of the School Choice application, you will receive a confirmation number. You can log back into your account to retrieve the number at any time.

No. All applications are processed simultaneously, after the lottery window closes. 

No. If your address falls outside Mecklenburg County, you cannot apply in the School Choice lottery.