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Magnet Schools

The Greenwich Board of Education offers four magnet elementary schools and one magnet middle school that accept students through an application process. The magnet school program is designed to serve three purposes:

  1. To advance and enhance student achievement by providing parents and students with educational options. Each magnet school offers a range of distinct education programs. Some emphasize particular academic subjects, while others use specific instructional approaches. Parents are encouraged to apply to those schools that they believe best meet the needs and interests of their children.
  2. To support the racial, ethnic, and economic diversity of all of the district's schools while complying to racial balance requirements established by the Connecticut legislature and the State Board of Education; and,
  3. To optimize the use of school facilities by balancing the distribution of students among elementary schools.

Programs and Services: GPS elementary and middle magnet schools provide the same curriculum, programs and services as all other Greenwich public elementary/middle schools. In addition, magnet schools offer a particular instructional framework and/or features that are unique to the individual schools.  

2024 -25 note: Western Middle School will not be accepting new students through the magnet program (unless they have a sibling already attending), due to temporary capacity challenges.

Lottery Process: Each of the GPS magnet schools is also a neighborhood school, with students enrolled from within the designated attendance area. A limited number of magnet seats are available by application for students residing outside the magnet schools’ attendance areas. The magnet school application deadline is February 1, 2024.  

If more applications are received than there are seats available, a lottery is conducted.  K-8 magnet applications must be received online by February 1, 2024 in order to be included in the lottery for the 2024-2025 school year.   Late applications will be considered only after all lottery applications have been placed and if there is still availability. 

Only one application per student can be submitted although you may list up to three magnet preferences. Lottery placement results will be emailed on February 28, 2024. (If you are looking for the preschool program, visit the GPS Preschool page for their separate application process.)

Applicant Eligibility: Any current resident of the Town of Greenwich with school-age children is eligible to apply to a GPS magnet school.  Non-resident Town of Greenwich (TOG) employees are also eligible to apply to GPS magnet schools. Non-resident TOG employee applications will be considered after Greenwich resident applications are filled.

To learn more about the magnet school application process and the magnet programs at each school:

  • explore the Magnet School brochure
  • visit the District and School web sites
  • attend a Magnet School Virtual Open House in January 2024
  • contact a magnet school principal

Magnet applications for the 2024-25 School Year will open mid-December 2023

GPS Magnet Application for 2024-2025

Magnet Schools: