Gifted Atlanta

We’ve got plenty of the 2011-12 school year left, but it’s already time to start thinking about 2012-13, especially if you’d like your child to attend one of the charter schools around the metro Atlanta area. Here’s a round-up of application deadlines and open houses, county by county.

Note that some magnet schools will open a certain number of spaces for people who live outside the county. Check with the individual schools to see if they expect to have openings for non-residents next year.

Clayton County

Fine Arts Magnet School in Morrow is taking applications for auditions. Application deadline is Dec. 16, 2011 for the first round of auditions. There is also a later deadline in March 2012 for the second round of auditions.

Cobb County

Cobb County has developed a common application for all magnet schools, so you can apply for any and all magnets at once. The deadline for all magnet applications is Dec. 9, 2011.

International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Campbell High School. Open house Nov. 16, 2011 at 7 p.m.

Academy of Math, Science and Technology at Kennesaw Mountain High School. Open house Nov. 17, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

South Cobb High School Academy of Research and Medical Sciences. Open house Nov. 9, 2011 at 7 p.m.

Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Math and Technology at Wheeler High School. Open house Nov. 8, 2011 at 7 p.m.

DeKalb County

DeKalb’s magnet programs are filled by a lottery that takes place each spring. I didn’t find any fall events. The county has typically held a centralized open house for all magnet programs during the winter.

Fulton County

International Studies magnet at Riverwood International Charter School (an IB Diploma Programme school). Information sessions at 9 a.m. on Nov. 4 and Dec. 2, 2011 and on Jan. 6, 2012. Prospective students open house Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. Application is not online yet. Application deadline will likely be in January.

North Springs High School, offering magnet programs in math/science and visual / performing arts. Application deadline Jan. 30, 2012. Open house Nov. 13, 2011 at 2 p.m.

Westlake High School math and science magnet. Open house Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Application will be available in Jan. 2012.

Tri-Cities High School has a magnet program in visual and performing arts. I’ve contacted them and am awaiting a response.

Gwinnett County

Gwinnett School for Math, Science and Technology. Couldn’t find any open house information. Registration will be open in November.

City of Atlanta

The City of Atlanta no longer uses a magnet model; however, the school system has many theme schools, and often more than one theme community within a school. School choice in Atlanta Public Schools is handled via a student transfer process that takes place in spring.