Magnet & Career and Technical Academies

Frequently Asked Questions

Parents, community members, and District staff often have questions about Magnet/CTA. In an effort to assist school personnel who may not be familiar with the CCSD Magnet/CTA procedures, the following questions and answers were developed.

For more information, you may call the Magnet/CTA Department at 702-799-8492

What are Magnet and CTA programs?

CCSD Magnet/CTAs offer learning opportunities related to various themes for interested students. Students from across the District may apply to a Magnet/CTA, regardless of the region in which they reside.The purposes of Magnet/CTAs are to improve student achievement, promote diversity, and create an awareness of career opportunities relative to the fields of study in which students may be interested.

What grade levels are available?

Magnet/CTAs are available for grades 1–12. Secondary Schools include both middle and high school levels.

  • Elementary School: 1–5
  • Middle School: 6–8
  • High School: 9–12

What are the admission requirements for a Magnet/CTA program?

At the elementary level, there are no specific requirements to attend a Magnet School.Parents of interested students must submit an online application to the Magnet School(s) to which they are applying by the annual specified deadline.If there are more applications than there are seats available, a computerized random lottery will be used to select students.

At the secondary level (i.e. middle and high school), entrance criteria have been established for admission to most of the Magnet/CTA programs.Students interested in applying to Magnet/CTAs should talk with their counselors or contact the specific school staff to determine if there are entrance criteria for the program(s) of interest.In addition to meeting the entrance criteria for the program, students must submit an online/paper application on or before the annually specified deadline.If there are more qualified applicants than there are seats available, a computerized random lottery will be used to select students.

If my child is interested in several Magnet/CTA programs, how do we make the choice?

You are encouraged to acquire as much information about each program as possible.Review the brochures and school publications, interview Magnet/CTA students' parents, visit the schools, talk to school counselors, and go to the CCSD website at http://magnet.ccsd.net for information.Students are allowed to apply to a maximum of three schools at each of the applicable grade levels (i.e. elementary, middle, and high school).

Are special education students eligible to attend Magnet/CTA programs?

It is the policy of CCSD to afford equal opportunity in education to qualified students.If parents think their child has a disability that may affect his/her ability to fully participate in Magnet/CTA programs to which the student is applying, they are encouraged to voluntarily provide information about their child's disability and related needs with the application.This will be considered after the initial review committee has completed its application review, for accommodation purposes only.Admission criteria will not be waived, but accommodations will be made, where possible, to allow the student to meet the requirements.

Are English Language Learner (ELL) students eligible to attend Magnet/CTAs?

Yes

How many seats will be open to Magnet students that apply?

At the 1st-, 6th-, and 9th-grade levels, there are a set number of seats available.At other grade levels, available seats will depend on how many students have exited the program.

Who can apply?

Any student in grades K - 11 who will be living within the boundaries of CCSD may apply for a Magnet/CTA.

How many schools have Magnet/CTA Programs?

There are currently five elementary schools, six middle schools, and 13 high schools designated as Magnet/CTAs.

What programs are offered at the schools?

Each of the Magnet/CTAs offers individual programs.Please contact the school for more information or visit our website at http://magnet.ccsd.net.

Do Magnet/CTA high schools issue certificates for employment?

Please contact the individual Magnet/CTA which your child is interested in attending for information on certificates that may be issued.

Will transportation be provided?

Yes, transportation is provided to eligible students.However, our CTAs only provide transportation to those living in their transportation pilot area. Please check the CTA's website for specific zones.

Will my child receive all the educational services available to him/her in a regular school?

A Magnet/CTA student will receive the educational services that the District provides to students in each of its schools.

Will my child have the opportunity to participate in after-school and extracurricular activities (i.e., football, basketball, etc.) in the Magnet/CTAs?

Secondary Magnet/CTA students who enroll for less than a three (3) year program or enroll in individual classes are not eligible for sports at the Magnet/CTA for 180 school days. Students who drop from the Magnet/CTA program will become automatically ineligible for sports at the Magnet/CTA for 180 school days. If a student chooses to return to his/her school residence, he/she would be ineligible for the remainder of that school year and for 180 school days in any sport in which he/she appeared on an NIAA roster during his/her attendance at the Magnet/CTA.

Since many of the after-school activities are closely related to the regular instructional program, every effort will be made to provide Magnet/CTA students with these opportunities. At Clark, Canyon Springs, Desert Pines, Rancho, Valley, and SECTA high schools, the students may participate in any sports or activities currently offered at that school. All CCSD and Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association (NIAA) rules and regulations apply. Specific information applicable to students in Magnet/CTAs is included in the NIAA Handbook, NAC 386.787.

ATech, VTCTA, ECTA, NWCTA, SWCTA, WCTA, and Las Vegas Academy do not participate in the NIAA athletics but offer many extracurricular activities in which students can participate. If a student attends ATech, VTCTA, ECTA, NWCTA, SWCTA, WCTA, or the Las Vegas Academy, it is the responsibility of the parent and student to check with the student's zoned school in regard to eligibility for participation in sports and other activities (i.e. football, basketball, etc.). At ATech, VTCTA, ECTA, NWCTA, SWCTA, WCTA, or the Las Vegas Academy, the availability of regular school bus transportation may limit participation in sports on specific days of the week.

Will my child have the opportunity to participate in co-curricular activities (i.e., cheerleading, pep squads, etc.) at his/her zoned school?

If a student attends ATech, VTCTA, ECTA, NWCTA, SWCTA, WCTA, or theLas Vegas Academy, the parent and student must check with the student's zoned school in regard to eligibility for participation.

If my child attends a Magnet program in an elementary or middle school, may he/she continue in these programs at the middle or high school level?

Yes, but placement is not guaranteed.The District reserves 25% of the available seats in middle and high school programs for qualifying incoming students who attended a feeder school at the lower level.If the feeder preference students who apply comprise more than 25% of the available seats, the District will randomly select students to fill the seats.The names of those students who are not selected will be placed in the general lottery.

All students must submit an application to the Magnet/CTAs to which they are applying by the designated application deadline.

Can my child enter a Magnet/CTA or program in high school?

Entrance into many Magnet/CTAs is based on specific admission procedures and/or requirements.These may be met without necessarily being enrolled in a Magnet School prior to middle school or high school. 

Are there any costs associated with entrance into Magnet/CTAs?

No tuition or entrance fees are charged for admission to Magnet/CTAs.

May a home school, private school, or charter school student apply to Magnet/CTAs?

Yes.These students must submit an application to Magnet/CTAs of their choice.If they are accepted and choose to enroll, they must attend the Magnet/CTA as full-time students.They are not permitted to take individual classes.

Middle school and high school applicants must submit their 1st trimester or 1st semester report card and their most recent CRT test scores.

Do you keep siblings together when they apply to the same school?

It is the intent of CCSD to avoid separating siblings when possible, but there is no guarantee that both siblings will be selected to the same school.The only exception is made for twins/triplets (multiples).If one twin/triplet (multiple) is accepted, the other twin/triplet (multiple), if qualified, will automatically be offered a seat at the same school.

What are my chances of getting in the Magnet/CTA that I apply for?

The chances of being selected into a program are based on the number of applicants compared to the number of seats available.

Where are the schools located?

Magnet/CTAs are located throughout the valley.Please visit our website at http://magnet.ccsd.net for information about where each school is located.

If my child does not like the Magnet/CTA program, can he/she transfer to his/her zoned school?

The Magnet/CTA shall be considered the home school of students who are selected and who are in attendance at the beginning of the school year.Students who are accepted and confirm attendance on the Form of Intent are expected to attend the Magnet/CTA for at least one school year.

How do I, as a parent, get involved with the school?

Each of the Magnet/CTAs greatly benefits from parental involvement.Members of parent groups often provide support as classroom aides, tutors, clerical workers, field trip chaperones, fundraisers, and special assistants for certain school functions.

Who may I contact for more information?

You may call the Magnet/CTA Department at (702) 799-8492, contact individual Magnet/CTAs, or visit the Magnet/CTA website at http://magnet.ccsd.net.