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Magnet Schools

Vista Unified is excited to offer magnet school experiences to students.  Magnet schools are schools of choice that operate within existing public school systems and offer specialized programs and curricula. We are fully committed to ensuring that all families have an equitable opportunity to participate in the application process.

2026-2027 Magnet School Application Window

The application window opens January 7, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. PST.

Application Deadlines:

  • Middle & High School: February 27, 2026, by 4:30 p.m. PST

  • Elementary School: March 6, 2026, by 4:30 p.m. PST

All applications must be completed and submitted online through the SchoolMint platform.

Students both within and outside VUSD boundaries may apply. Magnet schools accept all students regardless of disability, gender, identity, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, or English learner status. All applications submitted during the window have an equal chance of admission; there is no time-order priority.

How to Apply:

VUSD uses the SchoolMint platform for parents to submit magnet school applications. 

1. Create a guardian account using SchoolMint.

If you already have a SchoolMint account, you may use the same login for the 2026–2027 Magnet School lottery. Please note that you will need to submit a new application for this lottery cycle.

2. Submit the magnet application.

Families applying for multiple students (e.g., siblings) are required to submit an individual application for each student.

Access your SchoolMint account here

Lottery Results:

Magnet Policies state that parents/guardians have three (3) working days to accept or decline offers.  

Results will be shared exclusively with applicants via the SchoolMint platform.

Middle and High School (Vista Innovation Design Academy, Vista Magnet Middle School, and Mission Vista High)

  • Lottery takes place on March 6, 2026
  • Notifications of results will begin on March 12, 2026

Elementary (Casita and Vista Academy of Visual & Performing Arts)

  • Lottery takes place on March 17, 2026
  • Notifications of results will begin on March 20, 2026

Magnet Lottery Live Stream

Our live lottery streaming will not announce student names. Results will be shared exclusively with applicants via the SchoolMint platform. You can view the Live Stream by clicking on the links below. These links will be the same for both the secondary lottery and the elementary lottery.

  • Secondary Lottery: Held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
  • Elementary Lottery: Held on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

Live Stream link will be available soon! 

Important Information

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