November 24, 2025 – Decatur Public Schools’ three magnetprograms will begin accepting applications online on December 1, 2025, for students interested in enrolling in a magnet program for the 2026-27 school year. The magnet application process will be done completely online using an online application and lottery system, called SchoolMint.
As part of the application process, parents or guardians are required to attend a MANDATORY parent meeting for each magnet school to which they are applying for their student. Siblings of current magnet students are not required to attend the parent informational meetings as part of the application process.
These meetings provide important information about each school’s magnet program so families can better understand the academic and behavioral expectations. Families will also have the opportunity to speak directly with each magnet school principal.
Attendance at these informational sessions is REQUIRED in addition to submitting an application. Parents are asked to pre-register at www.dps61.org/magnet or sign–in at the informational meetings. Dates for these meetings are listed below.
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December 02, 2025 @ Johns Hill Magnet School 5:30 p.m.
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December 04, 2025 @ Ellsworth Dansby Magnet School 5:30 p.m.
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December 10, 2025 @ Decatur Library 5:30 p.m. in the Madden Auditorium. All three magnet school principals available.
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December 18, 2025 @Montessori Academy for Peace 5:30 p.m.
Online applications will open Friday, December 1, 2025, through Friday, January 31, 2026.
Visit www.dps61.org/magnet to apply in SchoolMint. The District’s central office will then conduct an electronic lottery in March 2026, to fill the available seats in each magnet school program. Parents/guardians will receive notifications by email and/or text message throughout the application and lottery process via the SchoolMint platform.
Students who accept a magnet seat are also required to attend a mandatory magnet school orientation prior to the start of the 2026-27 school year and complete school registration in July.
