Junior High Magnet Application Process

Online Application Opens Nov. 1

  • Application closes Dec. 18.
  • The magnet application is primarily for students who will be in 7th grade in the 2027-28 school year. 
  • All students who want to participate in a magnet program must submit an application to do so.
  • Students not currently enrolled in an RISD school must attach additional documents, substantiating grades, attendance and behavior.

Current RISD students: An automated email will be sent from “noreplyenrollment@powerschool.com” to all families of students currently enrolled in 6th 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 junior high magnet schools and 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

Attendance

At least 90%.

Behavior

No more than 3 referrals. No suspensions or expulsions.

Academics

At least an 80 average in core subjects; no failures in any subject.

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. If students are ineligible at the first semester, they may gain eligibility as they improve second semester grades, attendance and/or behavior.

Information Meetings

Join us the first two Wed. evenings of November to learn about the junior high magnet programs. These are in-person, hands-on opportunities for your 6th grader to experience the programs available at each school. Please see the details below for more information.

Richardson West Junior High Arts & Technology Magnet

  • Nov. 4
  • 6:30 p.m to 8:00 p.m.
  • 1309 Holly Dr., Richardson, TX 75080

Westwood Junior High: the Math, Science, Leadership Magnet

  • Nov. 11
  • 6:30 p.m to 8:00 p.m. Arrive early because parking is limited. 
  • 7630 Arapaho Rd., Dallas, TX 75248

Select Schools, Rank Programs of Interest, Complete the Application

Applicants select a 1st Choice and 2nd Choice between the two schools, then rank their interest in the programs at each school. Students may apply for up to three magnet programs at each school; however, space availability and course requirements may limit the number of magnet programs in which a student can be assigned. In fact, West Jr. High limits student participation to one magnet program, so students may have to choose between programs if assigned to more than one program.
Richardson West Junior High Arts & Technology Magnet

Richardson West Junior High Arts & Technology Magnet

Address: 309 Holly Dr., Richardson, TX 75080
Phone Number: 469-593-3700
Magnet Strands: Communications, Culinary Arts, Robotics, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts
Richardson West Junior High Arts & Technology Magnet Website

Richardson West Visual and Theatre Arts Applicants

Visual and Theatre Arts applicants do not submit a video response because applicants interview in-person. Be sure to select Richardson West Junior High as your first choice of schools if you want to interview or audition between January 12-14 from 4-7 p.m. Students who list Richardson West as their second choice will only be interviewed after February 1 if space remains or comes available. Don’t forget to select your interview/audition date and time before submitting the application. Walk-in interviews will not be granted. Only Visual Arts and Theatre Arts require an in-person interview/audition for admission.

Westwood Junior High: the Math, Science, Leadership Magnet

Westwood Junior High: the Math, Science, Leadership Magnet

Address: 7630 Arapaho Rd., Dallas, TX 75248
Phone Number: 469-593-3600
Magnet Strands: Accelerated Math, Accelerated Science, and Pack Leadership
Westwood Junior High: the Math, Science, Leadership Magnet Website

Westwood Accelerated Math Applicants

Qualified students can accelerate math by taking Algebra I in seventh grade, enabling a high school path through Algebra II, Pre-Cal, Calculus, and Statistics. To qualify, students must already be accelerated in math by grade 6 with a passing grade in their accelerated math class or earn a score of 80 or higher on the Credit by Exam. Students interested in qualifying via Credit by Exam must speak to their campus counselor, in order to register. For information about testing, registration, and placement, visit our Credit by Exam webpage.

Applications due by Dec. 18

Application Scoring

Magnet applicants are required to submit two written responses and one video response for each program of interest; videos are not required for Theatre and Visual Arts since they require in-person interviews. The maximum possible score is 4, with points distributed as follows:
  • Student responds to the topic of Question 1: 1 Point
  • Student responds to the topic of Question 2: 1 Point
  • Student provides a verbal, on-topic video response*: 2 Points
*Students should use the two questions as prompts for the content of their video response. Students submit videos in Schoology classrooms created for each program that requires a video: Communication Arts, Culinary Arts, Robotics, Math, Science, Leadership

Notifications Emailed by Jan. 31

Admission is based on eligibility, school preference, program rank provided, application/interview scores and space availability.
  • Magnet applicants must meet and maintain eligibility requirements to have sibling priority. Sibling priority only applies to brothers and sisters enrolled at the same school at the same time.
  • Employees of the RISD will have priority of placement as long as they meet eligibility requirements, submit complete applications on-time, within the same rank and score level as other neighborhood students.
  • Open Enrollment Transfers may be placed after other applicants have been placed or if they are currently attending an RISD school when submitting an application.
  • Students on the Waiting List are placed as students decline, space is available in the program and enrollment within the grade level has not been exceeded.

Families have 10 school days to accept/decline the magnet school assignment. Students assigned to the magnet program will receive information about next steps, including an invitation to the Incoming 7th Grade Parent Meeting held in February to walk through course selection and finalizing enrollment. Course registration is a separate process from enrolling annually. Online enrollment opens February 23; failure to enroll in a timely manner for the next school year could forfeit the space assigned to you.

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