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CPS Lottery
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CPS Magnet and High School Lottery Application Submission Opens December 6, 2023
CPS has simplified our lottery process. Magnet and high school lotteries now have only one extended application period.
You may designate up to three school preferences. All applications submitted during the application period will be processed in a computerized random order. Applications are not processed in a first-come-first-served order. Prioritization is given to applicants based on established board policies to ensure each student has an equitable chance of being assigned to first-choice schools. To view the board policies, please visit:
- View and download here: Board Policy 5113.01 Preschool and Elementary Magnet School Enrollment
- View and download here: Board Policy 5113.03 High Schools of Choice Intra-District Enrollment Program
Approximately six weeks after the lotteries close, CPS will notify you of your child's placement and provide registration instructions.
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Who SHOULD participate in the online lottery?
Elementary Schools
- Current in-district elementary students
- In-district students attending an elementary school (CPS, private, charter, parochial or home schools) that ends in 6th or 8th grade must participate in the online lottery to apply for a CPS high school.
High Schools
- Current in-district non-CPS high school students
- In-district students attending a non-CPS high school (private, charter, parochial or home schools) applying for grades 7th, 8th, or 9th must participate in the online lottery to apply for a CPS high school.
- Current in-district elementary students
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Who SHOULD NOT participate in the online lottery?
High Schools
- Current CPS high school students residing in the district boundary and wanting to transfer to another CPS high school
- Parents or guardians of current in-district CPS students now attending a high school in grades 7-12 who want to change high schools must apply in person at their high school of choice using CPS' paper application form.
- View and download the form: High School Application Non-Lottery 2024-2025
- Non-CPS students residing in the district boundary in grades 9, 10 and 11 and wanting to attend a CPS high school
- Parents or guardians of non-CPS in-district students currently in 9th, 10th or 11th grade attending private, charter, parochial or home schools who want their children to enter CPS' high schools and who live within the CPS district must apply in person at their high school of choice using CPS' paper application form.
- View and download the form: High School Application Non-Lottery 2024-2025
- Current CPS high school students residing in the district boundary and wanting to transfer to another CPS high school
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Begin the lottery application process:
1. Create Account
- Parent/Guardian creates a Parent Portal account in FOCUS
Begin Lottery Application
2A. Returning CPS Students: Link Student ID to Account
In this step, parents/guardians link their current enrolled child to their FOCUS Parent Portal account using the child's student ID.
2B. New Students to CPS: Register as a New Student
In this step, parents/guardians begin the enrollment process by registering their child into CPS.
- Note: Registering a student into FOCUS does not automatically enroll the student into CPS
3. Complete the Lottery Application
- Parent/Guardian fills out the Lottery application
4. Review and Submit Lottery Application
- Parent/Guardian Reviews and submits Lottery application
Questions about creating a FOCUS account?
- Contact the CPS Family Technology Support Center at 513-363-0688 or FTS@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
- The Family Technology Support Center is open 7 a.m. - 5 p.m during normal operating days.
Questions about the Lottery process?
- Contact the CPS Customer Care Center at 513-363-0123 or CPSHelp@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
- Please note the Customer Care Center accepts calls from 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. during normal operating days.
