Magnet & Specialty Programs

First look at your child's interests and needs, and talk to the child's teachers. Then, visit all schools you are considering, including your zoned comprehensive school. All schools—comprehensive, magnet programs and specialty academies programs—are built around the same core curriculum in all disciplines and meet all state Standards of Learning. Transportation is provided for all programs.

To find out the comprehensive school to which your child is assigned, call 591-4500 or use our Zone Finder.

Online applications are preferred.

Submit only one application for a child. (See note below for more information.)

Rising 10th and 11th graders must apply directly to the magnet program director. Only rising 9th grade applications will be processed in the high school magnet lottery.

Applications are available online. You are encouraged to submit your application online. If you are unable to access the online application, please contact the NNPS Magnet office for assistance at (757) 283-7850 x.10314. All applications received by December 6, 2021 will be considered "on time."

To change a selection after submitting an application, you must make all changes in writing before the closing date.

Note: Parents who want to apply to the same magnet program for more than one child have two choices:
(1) Complete one application listing all siblings at that level and the children will be considered for admission as a unit, or
(2) Complete separate applications for each child and the children will be considered for admission independently of one another.

Applicants are assigned a random lottery number by the computer, and students will be selected based on these numbers.

Acceptance is based on numerical order and outlined priorities with attention to racial balance.

For magnet programs, application priority is given in this order to:

1. Students currently enrolled in a magnet program who wish to continue in that program, including students who are moving from elementary to middle school magnets or middle to high school magnets of the same type. For example, students in the STEM magnet at Crittenden have priority for the Heritage High School Governor's STEM Academy; however, each student must fill out a magnet application for Heritage. Also, rising 6th grade magnet students at Deer Park, Newsome Park and Discovery STEM Academy will have a priority to Crittenden Middle School; however, each student must fill out a magnet application for Crittenden.

2. Students who are siblings of students currently enrolled in that program at that specific school. This means, for example, that if you have a seventh grader at Booker T. Washington Middle School, your rising sixth grader will be given priority at Washington.

3. Other applicants based on their lottery numbers.

Note concerning admission of non-Newport News students (outlined in School Board Procedure JFAB-P): Newport News Public Schools students are given first priority for inclusion in magnet programs. Non-resident students cannot enter the lottery for magnet program admission. Non-resident students interested in attending magnet programs will be considered only after the lottery and selection process for resident students has been completed and the steps outlined in School Board Procedure JFAB-P have been completed. Applications for non-resident students may be submitted on August 1.