High School Magnet Application Process

Online Application Opens Nov. 1

Application closes Dec. 18.
The Magnet Application for RHS is available online for students who will be in 9th grade in the 2027-28 school year.

Current RISD students: An automated email will be sent from “noreplyenrollment@powerschool.com” to all families of students currently enrolled in 8th grade. This email will contain a snapcode link to the Specialized Programming Application; the snapcode helps identify your student. You must complete this application to submit your preference of RHS magnet programs.

Students not currently attending an RISD school: Home school, private school or students new to RISD may also apply, as long as you live within RISD. You will first complete enrollment as a new student for the 2027-28 school year. Your enrollment will be reviewed, which could take a couple of school days, or longer if any necessary documents are missing. After successful review, an automated message from “noreplyenrollment@powerschool.com” will be sent to the email address you provide in your enrollment. This email will contain a snapcode link to the Specialized Programming Application; the snapcode helps identify your student. You must complete this second step to submit your preferences for Magnet Schools and/or Choice Programs.

Eligibility Requirements

Requirements for submitting an application include established academic expectations; however, grade parameters are subject to change, depending on the applicant pool and space availability. Students enrolled in core Advanced classes may add five points for passing semester grades to reach the minimum grade prerequisite(s). Magnet applicants must live within the boundaries of the RISD when submitting their application and completing the interview; unless, a parent/guardian works full-time for the RISD. Students must maintain eligibility throughout the application process and while enrolled at a magnet school. Semester 1 data from the current school year is used to verify eligibility requirements.

Information Meetings

Join us for daytime and night time events in November to learn about the arts, law and sciences programs available at Richardson High School. These are in-person, hands-on opportunities for 8th graders to experience the magnet program during the day, and to introduce the school to their families in the evening. Please see the details below for more information.

Magnet Connection

Nov. 13 – Daytime field trip.
Qualifying 8th graders must submit field trip permission to their current junior high school’s counseling team to join the daytime event at RHS.
1250 W Belt Line Rd, Richardson 75080

Eagle Celebration

Nov. 17 – 7:00 p.m.
Schoolwide event for 8th graders and their parents.
Starts in the RHS Auditorium.

Select Programs of Interest and Complete the Application

The online application includes the following sections:

You may select Science as the only program or an additional program of interest.
You may only select one from among Communications, Computer Science, Culinary Arts, Law, Manufacturing, Photography, Robotics, Science, Studio Arts, Technical Theatre and Theatre Performance.
In other words, you may only apply for one magnet program unless applying for Science. If you apply for two programs, one of them must be the Science Magnet.
Student and parent/guardian agree to and sign the Policy and Guidelines for RHS Magnet Students
Students not currently enrolled in an RISD school must attach additional documents, as outlined in the online application.
Complete all the questions related to the magnet strand(s) to which you are applying by Dec. 18.
Submit all Schoology requirements by Jan. 7.
Confirmation of your application will be emailed.

Select Your Interview Time

Select your interview time when you complete your application. Each magnet strand requires an interview except Science.

Jan. 9 & 23: Interviews
Jan. 5: Eligible students will receive an email with a link to select their interview time. Students may not change magnet selections if they are eligible for at least one of their selected magnets.
Ineligible students will be notified Jan 5. A student may change an ineligible magnet to an eligible one if they only selected one magnet. If a student selects two magnet options, they cannot change their application as long as they are eligible for one of their selections. If a student selects two magnets and are ineligible for both, they may switch to one or two for which they are eligible.
No extra days will be given to fulfill Schoology requirements since the review/interview/notification process are too tight.

Notifications

Applicants are notified by email by Jan 31. You have 10 school days to accept your assignment. After student acceptance into the magnet program, the RHS Magnet Counselor will contact students regarding their course schedule for the next school year. If you are a current RISD student, you must also submit your annual online enrollment in a timely manner to secure your assignment.