2023-2024 School Year:  For students in Grade 5 and Grade 8 in the fall of 2023, on-time applications open at noon on October 9, 2023.  The on-time application portal will close at noon on November 13, 2023.

• • Magnet Programs are open only to residents of Anne Arundel County.
  • Military families outside of AACPS with orders can apply in the normal application window.  See additional information for military families.
  • No late application enters the unweighted lottery and will be placed on the waitlist by time-stamp order of eligible application.
  • Late applications: Please check with maustin1@aacps.org (IB) or apexarts@aacps.org (Apex Arts) if they will accept late applications. 
  • STEM MS and STEM HS do not accept late applications.  STEM BioMedical (BMAH) for high school accepts late applications.

Information sessions 2023: click here for a list in English and Spanish

Application protocols for Magnet Programs (Apex Arts, BMAH, IB, STEM):

• Current AACPS students should use their lunch ID as their application username and password, also used to access the computers at school and Brightspace. 
• The Magnet Office evaluates applications from October-January.
• Auditions are held for Apex Arts (See www.aacps.org/apexarts for details.)
• An unweighted lottery is held in February.
• NB: Non-AACPS students create a username and password combination when beginning the online application. 
  • The Magnet Office cannot reset passwords. Contact the Help Desk at 410-222-5135 for password resets.
  • The same application system is used for Magnet Programs, JROTC, CAT Centers, Charter/Contract Schools, and Virtual Academy. 

Applications are accepted only from students residing in Anne Arundel County for entry into a Magnet Program.  Please see program specific webpages for details.