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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions | Magnet Questions

What is the Magnet program?

Magnet Programs are Court-Ordered voluntary integration opportunities available to students in grades K-12 living within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Currently there are 225 Magnet programs located throughout LAUSD.

Who can apply to Magnet programs?

All students living within the boundaries of the Los Angeles Unified School District are eligible to apply, including English Learners, Special Education, and Gifted/Talented students.

What is the difference between Magnet and Gifted?

The Magnet Program is a Court-Ordered voluntary integration program open to all LAUSD students. Forty-seven (47) of the 225 Magnet programs available are Gifted/High-Ability or Highly Gifted programs. In order to apply to one of these 47 programs, students must first meet the eligibility criteria.

How do I apply for a Magnet school?

You may complete the application on-line at eChoices.lausd.net or the Choices Brochure contains the application for the Magnet schools and is available the beginning of October.

Can I apply to more than one Magnet?

Students may apply for up to three Magnet programs. If the applicant is selected to their first choice, choice two and three are not considered. If the applicant is selected into any program of their choice, the student will not be placed on any waiting list. If there is no space available in any of their choices, the student will be placed on the waiting list for their first choice only.

May I Fax my application?

No. All applications are to be sent via U. S. mail or submitted online. Applications may also be hand-delivered to Student Integration Services at 333 South Beaudry Avenue, 25th Floor, Los Angeles, 90017. Unfortunately, we cannot be held responsible for lost applications.

What happens if I miss the application deadline?

Parents may submit Late Applications beginning February 1, 2018. If space becomes available the school’s Magnet coordinator will contact you. The Late Application does not guarantee placement at the school site.

How are students accepted into Magnet programs?

Students are selected based on the magnet program goal and are randomly accepted into Magnet programs based on the number of priority pointsthey accrue. The number of students selected is based on the number of available spaces at a particular school. Any student who sent in an on-time application, but was not selected, is placed on a waiting list at the school.

Are students selected on a first-come first-served basis?

No. The selection process is random and occurs after the on-time application deadline.

Is there guaranteed selection if I apply?

No. Applicants are not guaranteed selection.

How do I know if my child was selected or not?

In early December, you will receive a letter confirming receipt of your child’s application. In March, you will be notified by mail as to whether your child was selected or placed on the waiting list.

What is my child's status on the waiting list?

Your child’s status will depend on the number of openings at the school of application as well as the number of applicants. You may call the school to inquire about potential selection.

When will my child get called from the waiting list?

Calls to students on the waiting list may begin as early as April and continue through the fourth week of the fall semester. Students may also be called during the first two weeks of the spring semester.

Do I have to reapply every year?

Students who are currently enrolled in a Magnet school do not have to reapply unless they want to change schools (this includes promotion to the next school level, such as elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school). If a student remains on a waiting list then the student should reapply.

Frequently Asked Questions | Dual Language Program

Is the Dual Language/Bilingual program for English Learners?

Yes. All students benefit from Dual Language/Bilingual programs, especially English Learners who speak other languages.

Are there any requirements to enroll my child in a dual language program?

Students must enter the DLP at kindergarten. The child must be proficient in either English or Spanish (for the Spanish DLP) or English or Korean (for the Korean DLP) or English or Mandarin (for the Madarin DLP). In some cases, a new student who has proficiency in the target language (Spanish, Korean or Mandarin) may be enrolled into a DLP beyond grade 1. Consult your local dual language program school for details and enrollment procedures.

Are dual language programs the same as two-way immersion programs?

Yes, dual language programs as defined in LAUSD are also known as two-way immersion programs.

What languages are available in LAUSD dual language programs?

Currently, LAUSD offers dual language programs in Korean/English, Spanish/English, and Mandarin/English in selected elementary, middle and high schools.

Will students living within LAUSD boundaries need an Intra-District permit to attend a Dual Language/Bilingual program at a location other than their home school?

No. Intra-District (within LAUSD) permits are no longer required.

Will transportation be provided for Dual Language/Bilingual Program students?

No. Transportation will not be provided for the Dual Language/Bilingual program students.

When do I need to apply?

The CHOICES application window is October 2-November 9, 2017. If you miss the application window, the late application period begins February 1, 2018. (students will be placed in the order the applications are received based on space availability.)

Are on-time applications processed on a first-come-first-served basis?

No. Applications received during the on-time application period will be processed after the application window closes. Students are placed according to their enrollment placement preferences.

What if there are more applications than seats available for a program?

A random, unbiased, electronic lottery will be conducted centrally and students will be placed in accordance with their enrollment preferences.

I do not have access to internet; can I submit a paper application? Where can I get assistance with completing the application?

School sites, Los Angeles City Public Libraries and Local District offices have copies of the Choices Brochure and paper application. Parent workshops and fairs will be held to assist parents with filling out the application.

Will resident students have priority enrollment?

Yes.

Do students currently enrolled in a Dual Language/Bilingual program need to re-apply?

No. However, a new application is needed for matriculating students.

Since families are applying through the Choices application, will Dual Language/Bilingual applicants accrue points?

No. Only students applying for magnet programs will accrue magnet priority points.

How many different school programs can I apply to?

Parents can apply to all 3 programs (Magnet, PWT, Dual Language/Bilingual). For Magnet and Dual Language/Bilingual schools, you may apply for up to 3 choices for each program.

How many programs could I be selected to?

You could be selected to all programs to which you applied. However, you may only accept one program by the April 2018 deadline.

Who will I contact for additional programmatic questions?

Please contact the Dual Language/Bilingual Programs Office at (213) 241-2550.

Frequently Asked Questions | PWT Questions

What is the PWT program?

The Permits With Transportation (PWT) program is a Court-Ordered voluntary integration program available to students in grades 1-12 who live within a PWT sending school area. Parents may call (213) 241-6572 or go to eChoices.lausd.net to verify if the applicant lives in a PWT sending area. The PWT program provides students with integrated experiences by placing Hispanic, Black, Asian and Other Non-Anglo students in integrated settings while providing opportunities for Other White (OW) students to attend Predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian and Other Non-Anglo (PHBAO) schools. School assignments in the PWT Program are made by the District.

What do I do first if I am interested in PWT?

Check to see if you live in a PWT sending area click by clicking here. If eligible, then you may consider applying to the PWT program.

Can I choose the school I want for my child?

No, the District assigns a school to you.

Why does the District select the school?

Enrollment meetings are held to verify that space is available in schools takes place after the Choices deadline date. This makes it impossible to name PWT receiving schools before April of each year. In addition, Transportation patterns and bus stops have already been established; therefore, no new schools will be added.

Where will the student be picked-up?

Transportation routes have already been established for the PWT program. You will be notified about transportation by US mail the week before the new school year begins. For information about existing bus routes please call (213) 580-2950.

Do I need to reapply every year if the student does not get in?

Provided that space continues to be available, PWT students may continue from elementary to middle to high school. However, matriculation students will need to respond by opting-in by the April deadline or they will default to their resident school program. New PWT applicants need to reapply on a yearly basis if the student does not get into PWT the first year. Once he/she is in PWT you do not need to reapply yearly.

If I have two children, can they both attend a PWT receiving school?

Yes, if space is available and they reside in a PWT sending area and both applications are returned before the deadline date, both children could participate in the selection process. When space is available, the PWT program will assign siblings to the same school.

Do PWT receiving schools have waiting lists?

Yes, PWT receiving schools have waiting lists if more students apply than there is space available at the school.

Do I have to transfer my child if I don’t want to?

You do not have to transfer your child. You may decide that keeping him or her at their current school is the best choice.

What if my child is a special education student?

If your child is receiving special education services, they must be implemented per the Individualized Education Program (IEP). The Division of Special Education will assist in making the PWT program assignment according to the child’s IEP and the District’s guidelines.

What kind of program will my child be enrolled in at the PWT school?

Your child may participate in all programs and activities available at the PWT school.

May I participate in the school/community activities at the PWT school?

Yes. Parents are encouraged to participate in advisory councils, school site councils, PTA, and other functions at the PWT school.

Do I still have to enroll my child at the PWT school when I receive my Confirmation Letter?

Yes. When you receive the Confirmation Letter, contact the PWT school to get information about the school’s enrollment procedures.

When will my child get called from the waiting list?

Calls to students on the waiting list may begin as early as April and continue through the fourth week of the fall semester. Students may also be called during the first two weeks of the spring semester.