Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will open registration for the 2027-28 school year on Monday, Oct. 19, giving families with incoming kindergartners or students new to the district six weeks to enroll.
The deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 1.
That registration window is the first step for families in the Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville area who want their children assigned to a home school or considered for a magnet or specialty program, according to the CMS School Choice key dates page.
Families can find required enrollment documents and access the registration portal through the CMS Student Placement page.
Choice lottery timeline
Registering a student does not automatically enter them in the choice lottery. That application period opens separately on Monday, Nov. 2, and closes Friday, Dec. 11, per CMS. Lottery results are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027.
CMS operates magnet programs in International Baccalaureate, STEM, world languages and Montessori, along with more than 30 Career and Technical Education pathways, according to the district's Endless Possibilities Fair page.
A transfer and reassignment window follows the lottery, running Monday, Jan. 11, through Monday, Feb. 8, 2027.
Upcoming events
The district is hosting its third annual Endless Possibilities Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Charlotte Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can meet school and program representatives and explore choice options.
CMS also offers open houses, school tours and one-hour information sessions with its School Choice team throughout the fall. Dates and locations are listed on the CMS open houses page.
Families with questions can call CMS Student Placement at 980-343-6246.
