Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools opened its school choice lottery Monday, Nov. 2, for the 2027-28 school year.
Families in Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville have until Dec. 11 to apply for up to three magnet programs or specialty schools for students in pre-K through 12th grade. Lottery results are scheduled for Jan. 5, 2027, according to the district's key dates page.
The lottery opens as CMS restructures its magnet offerings. The district is reducing the number of program themes from 16 to six, WCNC reported. CMS has said the goal is to give families across its transportation zones access to consistent program opportunities.
North Mecklenburg families fall in the district's Violet transportation zone, which feeds into Hopewell, Hough and North Mecklenburg high schools, among others. Students have priority for school choice programs in their transportation zone, according to the district's School Choice page.
Program options across the district include International Baccalaureate, STEM, world languages, Montessori, visual and performing arts, career academies and early colleges, according to a CMS announcement. CMS also lists more than 30 Career and Technical Education pathways that can lead to internships, early college credit and industry certifications.
Then-Deputy Superintendent Dr. Melissa Balknight said in a May interview with WCNC that the district wanted to make the school choice process easier for families to navigate. Balknight has since become acting superintendent after the school board terminated Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill on Sept. 22, as WBTV reported.
Before applying, families must complete CMS registration and have a student ID. Registration for the 2027-28 school year opened Oct. 19.
CMS will host its third annual Endless Possibilities Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center. Families can meet school and program representatives and ask questions about available options.
Applications are available through the CMS School Choice website.
