Optional & magnet schools (one application, up to 7 choices)
MNPS optional and magnet schools are public schools you can choose outside your zone. You apply through a single online application in SchoolMint, where you can list up to seven schools ranked in order of preference.
- Priority window: the main application window runs roughly from late January to early February each year. Applying in this window puts you in the first lottery; you can still apply afterward, but without priority.
- Lottery & results: the first lottery runs in mid-February, with notifications to families around mid-March. A second lottery (magnet requests) typically follows in the spring.
- Academic magnets: a few schools — such as Hume-Fogg and Martin Luther King (MLK) Magnet — have academic eligibility requirements in addition to the lottery.
- Apply: MNPS School Options (SchoolMint) · check exact dates on the official School Options Calendar.
Public charter schools
Charter schools are tuition-free public schools open to any MNPS student. Each runs its own enrollment lottery, and new families can apply year-round where seats are available. Many charters use the same SchoolMint system; others have their own application, so check the individual school.
Browse Nashville charter schools → or learn more from the MNPS Charter Schools office.
Waitlists & tips
- Apply during the priority window to be included in the first lottery — it's your best shot at a seat.
- Rank honestly. List schools in your true order of preference, up to seven.
- Waitlists are generally kept through the fifth day of the school year, then cleared — except for charter-school waitlists.
- Know your fallback: your zoned school is guaranteed, so you never lose a seat by applying elsewhere.
Dates change every year. Application windows, lottery dates, and school-specific rules are set by MNPS and shift from year to year. Confirm current deadlines on the official MNPS School Options Calendar before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
When is the MNPS magnet and optional-school application deadline?
The priority application window runs roughly from late January to early February each year. Applying in that window enters you in the first lottery (held in mid-February, with results around mid-March). Always confirm exact dates on the official MNPS School Options Calendar.
How do I apply to a magnet school in Nashville?
Create an account in MNPS SchoolMint (schooloptions.mnps.org) and submit one application listing up to seven schools ranked by preference. Some academic magnets, like Hume-Fogg and MLK, also have academic eligibility requirements.
Are Nashville charter schools free?
Yes. Public charter schools are tuition-free and open to any MNPS student. Each school runs its own enrollment lottery, and new families can generally apply year-round where seats are available.
Do magnet schools have entrance requirements?
Most optional and magnet schools admit students by lottery with no academic screen. A few academic magnets — such as Hume-Fogg Academic High and MLK Magnet — do have academic eligibility requirements in addition to the lottery.