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 162 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. Thirty-five (35) of the 162 Magnet programs available are Gifted/High-Ability programs. In order to apply to one of these 35 schools, students must first meet the eligibility criteria.

How do I apply for a Magnet school?

The CHOICES brochure contains the application for the Magnet schools and comes out in mid-November. The brochure is sent to the homes of currently enrolled students of LAUSD as well as to each school in the District. If one does not arrive to your home by the end of November, please stop by your local LAUSD school to pick one up.

Can I apply to more than one Magnet?

You may only apply for one Magnet school. If more than one application is sent in for a student, only one of them will be processed; there is no guarantee which one it will be.

May I fax my application?

No. All applications are to be sent via U. S. mail or an approved carrier. Applications may also be hand-delivered to the Office of Student Integration Services at 333 South Beaudry Avenue, 16th Floor, Los Angeles, 90017. Unfortunately, we cannot be held responsible for lost applications.

What happens if I miss the application deadline?

Applications received by the on-time deadline will either be accepted or placed on an on-time waiting list. Applications received after the on-time deadline and by the late deadline, will be placed on a late waiting list. (Students on the late waiting list do not accrue points for that year.) Any applications received after the late application deadline will not be processed.

How are students accepted into Magnet programs?

Students are randomly accepted into Magnet programs based on the number of priority points they have. 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 does not begin until the on-time application deadline.

Is there guaranteed acceptance if I apply?

No. Applicants are not guaranteed acceptance

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

In early February, you will receive a letter confirming receipt of your child’s application. In early May, you will be notified by mail as to whether your child was accepted 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. Please call your child’s school of application to find out “what your child’s chances of being accepted are.” Knowing what number you are on the list will not necessarily give be a guarantee of your child’s ultimate acceptance at the school.

When will my child get called from the waiting list?

Calls to students on the waiting list may begin as early as late May and continue through the second week of school.

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). Students who are placed on a waiting list must reapply.

What is the PWT program?

PWT is a Court-ordered Integration program which provides students with integrated experiences by placing Hispanic, Black, Asian and Other Non-Anglo students in integrated settings while providing opportunities for Other White students to attend Predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian and Other Non-Anglo schools.

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 YES, select the PWT section only on the application. If NO, review the Magnet Program or the Public School Choice (PSC) 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 to verify that space is available in schools takes place after the Choices deadline date making it impossible to name PWT receiving schools before May of each year.

What school will he/she attend?

Call (213) 241-6572 for the current information.

Where will the student be picked-up?

The students will be picked up at the nearest pick up point closest to their home.

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

Yes, you 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 they reside in a PWT sending area and both applications are returned before the deadline date, both children would participate in the selection process.

Do PWT receiving schools have waiting lists?

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

What does it mean that my child’s school is Program Improvement (PI)?

Title I Program Improvement designation is a requirement outlined in the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. This law requires each state to identify Program Improvement (PI) schools as those schools that have not met yearly growth targets for two consecutive years.

What is the Title I "Public School Choice (PSC)" Program?

Students enrolled in a PI school have the option to transfer to a Non-Program Improvement (Non-PI) school with paid transportation provided by the District.

How will I know that my child is eligible?

All children in PI schools are eligible. If demand for choice exceeds funding, priority is given to the lowest achieving, low-income children as required by law.

To which schools can my child transfer? Can I choose my child’s school?

Students may only transfer to Non-PI schools. The District will provide parents of eligible students with the choices of Non-PI schools. Parents select one of the Non-PI schools provided by the District.

What if I want to send my child to a private school?

You can, but at your own expense. Under this program, you can only transfer your child to a public or charter school that the California Department of Education has determined is not in need of improvement.

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 in the current school is the best choice.

What if I choose to not apply for PSC?

Your child will remain in his/her current home school and may be eligible for PI Year 1 Tutorial Services Program or Supplemental Educational Services (PI Years 2-5 schools).

How do I apply for the PSC program?

a. Parents of students attending a PI school may apply through the CHOICES brochure that is mailed home during November and is due Mid-January.
b. Parents of students attending Schools At-Risk for PI may apply through the CHOICES brochure that is mailed home during November and is due Mid-January.

Do I have to reapply every year if my child is in PSC?

No, your child can continue to attend the Non-PI school until he or she completes the highest grade at that school and the child’s home school continues to be a PI school.

When will you tell me if my transfer application is selected?

You will receive a school selection letter with two Non-PI school choices by May.

Can I visit the Non-PI school before I make a selection?

Yes. After you receive the selection letter, which contains academic achievement data about the Non-PI schools, please contact the school and make an appointment to visit.

How do I find out about the academic achievement of the Non-PI school?

When you receive your selection letter, you will also receive the current achievement data for each Non-PI school. You may also check the California Department of Education website (www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ay/aypreports.asp) for achievement data for each of the Non-PI schools.

What if my child is a special education student?

If your child is receiving special education services, PSC must be implemented per the Individualized Education Program (IEP). The Division of Special Education will assist with the PSC 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 Non-PI school?

Your child may participate in all programs and activities that are available at the Non-PI school.

May I participate in the school/community activities at the Non-PI school?

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

If I take advantage of PSC, will my child still be eligible for free supplemental educational services (SES)?

Your child will no longer be eligible for Supplemental Educational Services if he/she participates in the PSC program.

Do I still have to enroll my child at the Non-PI school when I receive my confirmation letter?

Yes. When you receive the confirmation letter, contact the Non-PI school to get information about the school’s enrollment procedures.

How will my child get to the Non-PI school?

The District will provide paid transportation for as long as the resident school continues to be identified as Program Improvement (PI). When the resident school is no longer identified as PI, your child may continue at the Non-PI school, but the District will not provide bus transportation. PSC placement will remain in effect as long as the Non-PI school does not enter PI status.

When will I be notified about transportation?

You will be notified by US mail the week before transportation begins.

Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

For questions regarding Public School Choice program, please contact Specially Funded Programs at (213) 241-6990.