A procedural change by Metro Schools has allowed 339 students into magnet schools this year who under previous rules would not have gotten in.
For the last five years, enrollment for magnet schools was closed by the first day of school, even with open seats available. This year, parents had three days – until (yesterday/Wednesday) – to accept open slots.
Magnet schools director Kaye Schneider says the district had been overbooking schools, but still seats were left empty on the first day of class.
“There were many students who were not able to get into our magnet schools, and there were positions that were available. This year, however, we have about 339 more students and more parents who are happy because we were able to give them a call and say, ‘yes, you can fill those vacant positions.’”
Schneider says her office made more than a thousand calls to students on waiting lists and filled every seat that had a student who wanted it.
Magnet enrollment is now closed so those who didn’t get a call will have to wait until the next school year.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM