Q. What is a Magnet school?
A. Magnet schools are free, public schools that are organized around specialized themes designed to appeal to students’ interests and aptitudes.
Q. Who is eligible to attend a Northwest Suburban Integration School District magnet school?
A. Students are eligible to apply to any of the NWSISD magnet schools if they live in any of the NWSISD member school districts.
Q. How can I tell which school district I live in?
A. The school district is listed on your Property Tax Statement. You can also check your school district by going to pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/ and typing in your zip code. You will then type in your address to find your polling information and school district number.
Q. Can I apply to more than one magnet school with the magnet school application?
A. A student may choose two magnet schools in order of preference on the NWSISD magnet school application. If your child does not get into his or her first choice, the second choice may be assigned. It is not necessary to include a second choice if the student is only interested in one school.
Q. If I have more than one child, will they all be guaranteed admission to the same school?
A. No, they will not be guaranteed admission to the same school.
Q. Will every student who applies to the magnet schools program be accepted?
A. No. Students are chosen for the magnet schools program though a computerized lottery. The names of all applicants are put into a database that then randomly selects students for each grade.
Q. Is academic achievement or student involvement in co-curricular activities taken into consideration when students apply to the magnet schools program?
A. No, they are not. Students are encouraged to apply to a magnet program based on interest in the magnet theme.
Q. Will my child be guaranteed admission into the next level magnet school of the same theme?
A. No. Students cannot be guaranteed acceptance to the next level program. However, they will be given preference for acceptance to the next level program.
Q. Is transportation provided?
A. Transportation will be provided at no cost to those students who are accepted into an NWSISD magnet school as long as residency requirements are maintained and it is within district guidelines.
Q. Can a student receive transportation to and from a daycare center instead of their home?
A. Students attending a magnet school through NWSISD may receive transportation to and from a daycare center only if the daycare center is either in the student’s home school district or the same school district as the magnet school they attend. The pick up and drop off locations must remain consistent five days a week.
Q. What are the protocols for winter weather emergencies? Click here for additional information about Transportation.
The following are the potential scenarios for mornings with a two-hour late start:
1. Resident district is starting two-hours late and serving district is starting on time.
No AM transportation
PM transportation will follow regular schedule
2. Resident district is starting on time and serving district is starting two-hours late.
No AM transportation
PM transportation will follow regular schedule
3. Both districts are starting two-hours late.
No AM transportation
PM transportation will follow regular schedule
4. Resident is closed but serving district is open
No AM or PM transportation
5. Resident district is open and serving district is closed
No AM or PM transportation
Q. Whom should I contact if I have further questions regarding transportation?
A. Questions should be directed to the Northwest Suburban Integration School District transportation office at 612-789-5128.
Q. If a student who has been accepted to a magnet school moves before school starts to a district outside NWSISD's seven-member collaborative, will the student still be able to attend the magnet school?
A. No. However, any student whose acceptance is no longer valid has the option to apply through the serving school district open enrollment process. Parents should contact the serving district as policies vary in each school district. Transportation will not be provided through NWSISD.
Q. If a student who attends a magnet school moves to a different school district within the seven-member collaborative, will the student be able to continue attending the magnet school?
A. Yes, the requirement for residence within one of the seven member districts would still be met and the student would be eligible to continue at the magnet school. Transportation will continue to be provided through NWSISD, as long as it is within district guidelines.
Q. If a student who attends a magnet school moves to a school district outside the seven-district collaborative during the school year, will he be able to continue attending the magnet school?
A. The student may continue to attend the magnet school until the end of the school year. However, once the school year is finished, the student will no longer be eligible to attend a magnet school through the NWSISD magnet program. Transportation to the magnet school will be the responsibility of the parent once the move occurs.
Q. My student attends our neighborhood school which is also a magnet school and we are moving. Is there any way for them to continue their education at that school? What about transportation?
A. Your student may continue to attend that magnet school if your new home is located within the seven member district collaborative. You should notify your school and they will work with either the local district or NWSISD transportation to ensure transportation will be provided, as long as it is within district guidelines.
Q. If a student who attends a magnet school moves to another district in the collaborative, who do his/her parents need to contact in order to ensure that their child continues to receive transportation to and from the magnet school?
A. The parents must notify the school that their child attends. The school will then notify NWSISD to arrange for the change in the child's transportation needs. Parents may contact the NWSISD transportation office with specific questions. It may take a couple of weeks to process the change, so please contact the school prior to the move.
Q. If a student is currently enrolled at a magnet school through NWSISD, is it necessary to apply through NWSISD for the following year if the student will continue attending the same school?
A. It is not necessary to re-apply through NWSISD if the student is to remain in the same school for the following school year.
Frequently Asked Questions about Magnet Schools
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