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  • Magnet Schools and Programs
    Welcome to the Pittsburgh Public Schools Magnet Page!

    Magnet schools and programs allow students to pursue special interests, talents or career goals. Magnet schools are not neighborhood specific, so students who reside anywhere in the Pittsburgh Public School District can apply to attend. City residents receive priority for enrollment at magnet schools, however non-city residents can be admitted if there is available space. Tuition is charged for non-resident students who do not qualify for a tuition waiver. Tuition waivers are only granted to children of Pittsburgh Public Schools employees, in accordance with Board Policy 202 Eligibility of Nonresident Students. 
     

    The application for the 2023-24 school year is now closed. The online magnet application for students to be considered for admission for the 2024-25 school year is currently open. 

    If your student does not currently attend a Pittsburgh Public School in grades K-11, including students who will be entering kindergarten or who currently attend a private, parochial or charter school in the city, or families who will be moving to Pittsburgh, your first step to apply for a magnet program is to complete the Pittsburgh Public Schools pre-registration process. This will provide you with your Home Access Center (HAC) credentials to access the online application. Visit https://www.pghschools.org/enrollment and view this one pager to learn more about this process. Be sure to complete the form for the 2024-25 school year.

    The deadline for applications for the magnet lottery and for January auditions at Pittsburgh CAPA is 5 pm on Friday, December 8, 2023. After this date, applications will be accepted for programs that have vacancies or for students to be added to existing waiting lists. All applications received by the deadline will be considered together - so take the time to consider your options before applying.

Quick Links

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    Offerings and Options
    View our guide outlining everything related to enrolling in PPS, explaining the process for applying to a magnet program, and showcasing our unique programs. 

    Learn More on How to Apply
    We'll walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to apply. Learn about the application process, our magnet lottery, eligibility criteria and lottery weights.                                        
    Apply Online
    Submit an online magnet application for the 2024-25 school year by logging in to Home Access Center (HAC).    Click here to learn how.    Click here for guidance on HAC.

  • Explore Magnet Options with PPS. 

    Once a student enrolls in a magnet school, they are expected to remain in the program for at least one school year. Midyear transfers or withdrawals from magnet programs are not granted. The deadline to withdraw is 10 school days after the first day of school.

    Students in magnet programs must meet the following requirements in order to remain in the school/program. Students who do not meet these requirements may be returned to their assigned school at year’s end.

    • All students must maintain a 90% attendance rate.
    • Students in grades 6-12 may not receive more than one 4-10 day suspension, or more than 6 total days of suspension per year.
    • Students in grades 9-12 must maintain a 2.0 GPA.

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