District 196 is accepting applications from families interested in having their students attend a magnet school in the 2024-25 school year. The deadlines to submit applications are Jan. 5 for the five elementary magnet schools, Dec. 15 for Valley Middle School of STEM and Dec. 22 for the School of Environmental Studies optional high school for juniors and seniors.

Applications and more information are available at www.district196.org/magnetschools/.

Magnet schools give parents and students increased choice in their education with the option for a concentrated focus that offers innovative ways to meet students’ learning goals through a particular theme. Magnet schools also provide the district’s core curriculum in the areas of science, math, language arts and social studies.

The five elementary magnet schools in District 196 are Cedar Park Elementary Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) School in Apple Valley; Diamond Path Elementary School of International Studies in Apple Valley; Echo Park Elementary School of Leadership, Engineering and Technology in Burnsville; Glacier Hills Elementary School of Arts and Science in Eagan, and Oak Ridge Elementary School of Leadership, Environmental and Health Sciences in Eagan. The district’s K-12 STEM pathway includes Cedar Park and Echo Park elementary schools for grades K-5, Valley Middle School of STEM for grades 6-8 and Apple Valley High School for grades 9-12.

Any District 196 student who will be enrolled in elementary school, middle school or 11th or 12th grades in the 2024-25 school year can apply to attend a magnet school. Enrollment at magnet schools is determined by lottery and is limited to space available at each school and grade level. Students living in District 196 who are selected by lottery for magnet school enrollment receive transportation if they live more than one mile from the elementary magnet school they will attend, or one and one-half miles from Valley Middle School of STEM or the School of Environmental Studies.

The magnet school lotteries will be held shortly after each of the application deadlines. Parents of students selected for enrollment will be notified after the lottery and will be asked to confirm their child’s enrollment for the 2024-25 school year. Families of students not selected for enrollment in the lotteries will be notified and placed on a waiting list.

Parents can learn more about each of the magnet schools on their websites and by contacting their school of choice. More information about the magnet schools and the application process is available at www.district196.org/magnetschools or by calling Tony Eatchel, magnet schools and innovative programs teacher on special assignment, at 651-423-7810.