❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are Magnet Schools the same as Charter Schools?

Magnet schools are part of the Aurora Public Schools and are NOT Charter schools. They are governed by APS and the Board of Education.

Can I apply to a Magnet school at any time?

No, there is a window of time for magnet school applications each year. If a family is new to the district and/or misses the application deadline they are still able to apply to the magnet school in round 2 but they will automatically be placed at the end of the waitlist  as seats become available. Criteria based magnet school and eligibility lotteries have specific requirements. 

Can I apply to a magnet school if I live outside of the Aurora Public Schools? 

Yes. However, you will not be eligible for transportation. Only families who live within the boundaries of the APS district are eligible.

Is there any advantage to having a sibling or employed as a faculty member  at the magnet school in which a student  is applying to?

It depends. Please check the criteria for all magnet school. When filling out the application of some magnet schools,  a parent may  indicate if they have a current child at the magnet school. However, not every magnet school prioritizes siblings or faculty members with children, and if it is a criteria based school then applicants must make criteria. 

How does the lottery work (Charles Burrell elementary grades, Clara Brown Entrepreneurial elementary grades, Escuela Bilingüe Betty Benavidez, William Smith High School and Aurora West Preparatory Academy 9-12)?

For schools that use a lottery for enrollment, a randomized computer lottery system determines the acceptance and waitlist order. A variety of witnesses are present and the process is recorded and archived. Please note that it is very important for families to complete the applications with the most accurate and up to date information. Parents will be contacted following the lottery about the status and parents will have 2  weeks to confirm acceptance. All of these dates are published on the APS Magnet page. If an applicant has not received any notification please contact the school directly. 

How do criteria based magnet schools select students (Quest K-8, Charles Burrell 6-12, Clara Brown Entrepreneurial 6-8, ConstucTech and IB at Hinkley High School) ? 

Schools that use specific criteria such as an audition, interview or academic/assessment criteria have their own assessment tools (e.g., rubric and score cut-offs) that they use to evaluate students.Some  Magnet schools/programs create an admissions committee in order to evaluate applicants in an equitable manner. Criteria for each magnet school or program can be found on their websites. 

How are families notified about approval or waitlist? 

The email that families use on their application will be the contact information in which the magnet schools will use to communicate with the families. As stated above, it is critical that the most accurate information is recorded on the magnet school application. Students will remain on the waitlist until a seat becomes available. If a student is enrolling in their feeder school and is on a waitlist, they will remain on the waitlist until the next school year begins. 

What happens when I get accepted into one magnet school but I am also waitlisted at my first choice magnet school ?

If you do not accept the magnet school that you were approved for your seat will automatically be given to another student. You will remain on the waitlist of your first choice school and if a seat becomes available you will be contacted directly.

If a student ends up on the waitlist of a magnet school during that application rounds do they still need to reapply each year?

Yes. Students on a waitlist must apply each year to magnet schools and programs. Waitlists are expunged each year after seats are filled. 

What happens if there is an incomplete application?

If an application is incomplete it will not be reviewed or considered by the magnet schools. All families receive a confirmation email when they complete an application.

What if a family moves or changes their mind about a magnet school once they get accepted?

Families should contact the magnet school directly if their child has been accepted and they decide to move out of state or not accept the seat. This will allow children on the waitlist to fill the empty seat. 

How does the waitlist operate?

For lottery magnet schools, a randomized  waitlist is created if there are not enough seats.  As seats become available, the  application coordinator at each magnet school will reach out directly to the family. The waitlist may be preferenced by sibling and faculty priority, depending on the school. At criteria based schools the waitlist may be ranked. Round 1 waitlist must be utilized before moving to the round 2 applications.

Once enrolled in a magnet school do I need to reapply for subsequent  years?

No. Additionally, if a student is in 8th grade at Charles Burrell Visual and Performing Arts and wishes to attend the high school they do not have to audition or interview for the high school. 

What transportation is available for Magnet schools?

The K-8 and high school Magnet schools have transportation through hubs around Aurora. At this time, there is no transportation for Prek. Contact 303-326-1986 x28826 at APS transportation to find out drop off and pick up locations or visit the Transportation Department website.