Frequently Asked Questions
- How do students apply to the magnet schools?
- What is the timeline for applications?
- What is the difference between magnet and districted schools?
- How can I learn more about the magnet schools?
- What is the purpose of the magnet schools?
- What are the next steps?
- How can I get further information about the magnet schools?
How do students apply to the magnet schools?
For the 22-23 school year, all applications will be online at www.stamfordpublicschools.org in September 2022. Parents can apply to all five elementary magnet schools including Hart, Rogers, Strawberry Hill (Grades K-8), Toquam and Westover. For middle school, parents can apply to Strawberry Hill, Rogers, and Scofield for grades 6, 7, and 8. For high school, parents can apply to AITE. If you need assistance with submitting your application, please contact us either by phone or email at spslottery@stamfordct.gov.
Middle School Applicants please note: If you are interested in applying to Strawberry Hill (Grades 6-8) or Rogers (Grades 6-8) they are both included in the Elementary Lottery Application. If you are interested in applying to Scofield for middle school, you must complete a separate application for Scofield. The deadline to complete applications for Strawberry Hill Grades and Rogers Grades 6-8 is Tuesday, November 15, 2022. The deadline to apply to Scofield is Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
What is the timeline for applications?
Elementary Magnet School Lottery Timeline
- The deadline for submitting Elementary Magnet School Lottery applications is at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
- The lottery drawing will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2022 and acceptances are due on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
Middle Magnet School Lottery Timeline for Strawberry Hill and Rogers International
- The deadline for submitting Middle Magnet School Lottery applications for Strawberry Hill and Rogers International is at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
- The lottery drawing will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2022 and acceptances are due on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
Middle School Applicants please note: If you are interested in applying to Strawberry Hill or Rogers (Grades 6-8) they are both included in the Elementary Lottery Application. If you are interested in applying to Scofield for middle school, you must complete a separate application for Scofield. The deadline to complete applications for Strawberry Hill and Rogers Grades 6-8 is Tuesday, November 15, 2022. The deadline to apply to Scofield is Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
Middle Magnet School Lottery Timeline for Scofield
- The deadline for submitting Scofield Magnet School Lottery applications is 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
- The lottery drawing is Wednesday, March 15, 2023 and acceptances are due on Monday, April 17, 2023.
Middle School Applicants please note: If you are interested in applying to Strawberry Hill or Rogers (Grades 6-8) they are both included in the Elementary Lottery Application. If you are interested in applying to Scofield for middle school, you must complete a separate application for Scofield. The deadline to complete applications for Strawberry Hill and Rogers Grades 6-8 is Tuesday, November 15, 2022. The deadline to apply to Scofield is Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
High School Magnet School Lottery Timeline for AITE
- The deadline for submitting AITE Magnet School Lottery applications is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
- The lottery drawing will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 and acceptances are due on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
What is the difference between magnet and districted schools?
The magnet schools enroll students from all parts of Stamford; the districted elementary schools enroll students from designated attendance areas. All magnet and districted schools implement Connecticut standards in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music and Physical Education.
The magnet elementary and middle schools have the following themes:
| School | Theme | Grades |
|---|---|---|
| AITE | Science, Technology, Engineering, Math | 9-12 |
| Hart | Math, Science, Technology | K-5 |
| Rogers International | International Baccalaureate Program (IB) | K-8 |
| Scofield | Math, Science, Technology | 6-8 |
| Strawberry Hill | International Baccalaureate Program (IB) |
K-8 *will be K-8 by 2023-24 school year |
| Toquam | AVID Program | K-5 |
| Westover | Mastery Learning, Problem Solving and the Arts | K-5 |
*Please visit the individual school websites for additional information about the Magnet Program.
How can I learn more about the magnet schools?
Presentations about the Stamford Public School Magnet School programs will be held virtually this year due to COVID-19. Dates can be found on the Magnet Schools homepage. These presentations will explain and answer questions about magnet school admission and individual school's programs. The presentations will be recorded and posted to the Magnet Schools website and the individual school's websites. Information about the magnet lottery process and descriptions of each of the magnet schools is posted on the Stamford Public Schools website, www.stamfordpublicschools.org.
What is the purpose of the magnet schools?
What are the next steps?
Next steps will be:
- The Elementary Magnet School Lottery deadline to apply is Tuesday, November 15, 2022, the drawing will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2022 and acceptances are due on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
- The Rogers International (Grades 6-8) and Strawberry Hill (Grade 6-8) deadline to apply is Tuesday, November 15, 2022, the drawing will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2022 and acceptances are due on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
- The Scofield Magnet School Lottery deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the drawing will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 and acceptances are due on Monday, April 17, 2023.
- The AITE Magnet School Lottery deadline to apply is Tuesday, January 17, 2023, the drawing will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 and acceptances are due on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
- Lottery information will be sent by email to families on following each lottery drawing with magnet invitations and waiting list numbers. The email will indicate the school(s) to which a child is invited as well as waiting list numbers. As families accept/or decline magnet invitations, waiting list numbers will automatically be updated.
- Families will have three weeks to accept the invitation and register their student at the selected magnet school. Families who do not comply will lose their magnet seat.
How can I get further information about the magnet schools?
Stamford Public Schools will host a virtual presentation to provide information on Magnet Schools in general and each Magnet School will also host a virtual presentation on their individual school to share information about the program and to answer questions from parents. The presentations will be recorded and posted to the Magnet Schools website and the individual schools' websites. You may also call us at the listed phone numbers or email spslottery@stamfordct.gov with questions about magnet schools or magnet school admission.