CMS Magnet Lottery Key Dates

1. School open houses and information sessions

   Confirmed

   October to December 2026

   Schools set their own dates, and more are added through the fall. CMS keeps the full schedule.

   • Tip: These events are great opportunities to learn more about your school options, ask specific questions, and get a feel for each school.
   • Tip: Sign up to tour schools of interest, and prepare informed questions to ask each.

   See CMS's open house calendar (opens in a new tab)

2. Future registration opens

   Confirmed

   October 19, 2026

   If your child is not already enrolled in CMS, this is where you start. You need a current student ID number by the Future Registration Deadline of December 1 before you can apply to any school through the lottery.

   • Tip: Students who are new to CMS, or who were previously enrolled in CMS but are not enrolled this year, must register by December 1 to participate in the magnet lottery.
   • Tip: Enroll early to ensure you have time to gather the appropriate documents and address any technical issues before the deadline.
   • Tip: Check your child's student ID in the CMS parent dashboard (opens in a new tab) early, so you have plenty of time to fix any technical problems or incorrect information before the deadline.

   Learn about CMS registration (opens in a new tab)

3. CMS magnet lottery application opens

   Confirmed

   November 2, 2026

   Once your child has a student ID, you can submit your top three magnet school choices through the parent dashboard. Applying early does not improve your chances. CMS processes every application after the window closes.

   • Tip: Log in early in November to confirm everything works, so you can address any issues well before the deadline.

   Go to the CMS parent dashboard (opens in a new tab)

4. CMS Endless Possibilities Fair

   Confirmed

   November 14, 2026

   CMS's district-wide choice fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center (501 S. College St.). Programs present themselves in one place, so it's a fast way to see several options without booking separate tours, though we do still recommend visiting the school itself whenever possible.

   • Tip: It can be a good way to connect with multiple schools and get answers to your questions quickly.

   Learn more about the Endless Possibilities Fair (opens in a new tab)

5. Future registration deadline

   Confirmed

   December 1, 2026

   To enter the CMS magnet lottery, you must first register your child with CMS and receive the required student ID. Registration closes before the lottery application deadline. Any child not registered by this date cannot participate in the lottery.

   Learn about CMS registration (opens in a new tab)

6. CMS magnet lottery application deadline

   Confirmed

   December 11, 2026

   Submit your top three magnet choices by the deadline.

   Go to the CMS parent dashboard (opens in a new tab)

7. CMS Magnet Lottery Results Released

   Confirmed

   January 5, 2027

   Results of the lottery are shared in your parent dashboard showing where you have been offered a seat and where you have been waitlisted.

   • Tip: Keep in mind that some families will find themselves on one or more waitlists at this point. That's common, and waitlists can move after the first round of acceptances.
   • Tip: You'll have a short window to accept an offer, so keep an eye on the email you used for the lottery for notices about new offers that may become available to you.
   • Tip: If your magnet results weren't what you'd hoped, consider your zoned school and charter school options. Charter lotteries typically happen January to March.

   Check your results in the CMS parent dashboard (opens in a new tab)

8. Transfer and reassignment period

   Confirmed

   January 11 to February 8, 2027

   This is CMS's process for families who want a different school than the school assigned to their address. Reassignment requests are for students new to CMS, and transfer requests are for students already enrolled. Magnet and other choice programs go through the lottery, not this process.

Check CMS directly for the most recent information. (opens in a new tab)