Choosing the Right School

Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision. Cincinnati Public Schools offers many educational choices. So how can parents decide what's best for their child?

Consider three major areas:

1. Your child's individual needs and progress
2. School or program offerings that will meet your child's needs and interests
3. How well the school is performing

What We Do

Cincinnati Public Schools educates children in preschool through 12th grade:

• Neighborhood Elementary Schools — (grades K–5, K–6 and K–8; preschool at most) Assigned to a child based on the child's home address
• Magnet Elementary Schools — (grades K–6 and K–8; preschool at most)  Selected by families via the school selection process
• Neighborhood Schools with Magnet Programs — (grades K–6 and K–8; preschool at most)  Neighborhood program assigned by child's home address; Magnet program selected by families via the school selection process
• Middle Schools and Junior High Schools — (grades 6–8 and 7–8) Assigned by child's home address or junior high selected by families via the school selection process
• High Schools — (grades 7–12 and 9–12)  Selected by students and families via the school selection process (and paper application for upper grades)
• Combination Schools — (grades K–12, 3–12) — John G. Gilligan Digital Academy, Oyler School, Riverview East Academy, Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Children (3–12) and School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) — Entrance by various ways depending on the school

Some Cincinnati Public Schools have entrance requirements, such as an academic entrance exam at Walnut Hills High School and auditions for SCPA's upper grades.