Frequently Asked Questions

When is the lottery?

Applications for the 2025-2026 Barnette Magnet School Lottery open date is: TBD 

The deadline: TBD

The lottery results for 2024-2025 will be posted on the front doors of Barnette School on; TBD

Do I need to be present at the lottery?

You do not need to be present at the lottery, as it is run electronically at District office.

Are my chances in the lottery better if I turn the application in early?

No. All applications received by the application deadline are entered into the lottery.

Can I submit an application after the deadline?

The Barnette Lottery will reopen for Late Applications on TBD;  any late applications submitted during this time will be added to the bottom of the appropriate grade-level waitlist since the lottery has been drawn and numbered. 

Do I need to attend an orientation meeting?

No.

Do you need copies of my child’s birth certificate and shot records?

Not at the time of application. If a student receives a space and enrolls at Barnette we will need a birth certificate and shot records at that time. Registration needs to be done online.

What are my child’s chances of getting in? How many spaces will be available?

The number of spaces available in each grade varies year to year. Factors include the number of students leaving the school to move to other schools or districts, the number of siblings enrolling, etc.  This number fluctuates from year to year.

When will I know if my child has a space at Barnette Magnet School?

Barnette Magnet Lottery results will be available on online through your lottery portal and posted on the school's front doors on TBD.  The lottery is done at the Downtown District Office by computerized random selections. 

You will be contacted if/when your child has a seat available at Barnette Magnet School.   Please do not phone for lottery results.

What happens if my child is on the waitlist?

During the school year, we use the waitlist to fill any openings that may occur.   If an opening occurs and your student is next on the waitlist, we will contact you.  The waitlist is only good until the 3rd quarter or the new lottery date in January.   There is only one waitlist at Barnette, which includes all students waiting to be enrolled.   Sibling preference does not apply to students who are enrolled off of the waitlist until the following school year.

Do students have to reapply every year?

Students who are attending Barnette Magnet School do not need to reapply every year. Students who are on the waitlist, including siblings, will need to reapply.  A new waitlist is made every year.

I am applying for more than one child, if one child gets in, will all of my children get in?

Barnette Magnet does give preference to siblings. This occurs in two ways.  Firstly, if an open space is available for other siblings during the lottery when their sibling was chosen for an open spot.  However, enrollment is dependent on space available in the needed grade during the lottery. There may be more than one sibling on the waitlist. Students will be called on an individual basis in the order placed on the waitlist as grade level openings become available. Second, after all open spots are full, sibling preference is then done for that lottery year and is only enacted during the lottery the following year after one sibling has been actively enrolled and attended Barnette.

What are the hours at Barnette Magnet School?

8:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m.  There is an after-school program available that is hourly fee based.

What is the school size/class size?

We have approximately 425 students in K-8. Class sizes are inline with district OAA targets (Admin Reg 1032.2).

Is Kindergarten full day?

Yes. Kindergarten is full day (8:15 a.m. -2:45 p.m.). The first few days of Kindergarten operate on an introductory schedule to allow for testing and help students adjust to school.

Is there a charge to attend Barnette Magnet School?

The Barnette Magnet School is a public school and does not charge tuition. There are exploration classes which do require consumable supply fees not covered by general education allotments.  These generally range from $10 to $15 at this time. Families should plan for approximately $50 per year/per student in additional fees when accepting enrollment at Barnette.

Do you offer an after school program?

We currently have an after school program. The program will be offered year to year and there is an hourly fee for this program and has limited number of slots available. Please refer to the After School Program information page for more information

What is the difference between a charter school and a magnet school?

A magnet school still adheres to the school district curriculum. We use the same textbooks and programs as the school district. Barnette Magnet School is exceptional because students in grades 1-8 choose elective classes each quarter, called Explorations that meet Monday through Thursday. We have an unique Friday adjusted schedule which allows for various school and community based activities. Other differences exist between charter schools and magnet schools such as class size, enrollment and admission policies, and philosophies of teaching.