CMS School Choice offers families a menu of magnet and theme-based programs and schools designed to meet your child’s unique interests, talents and learning styles. Use our calendar to find opportunities to visit our schools!

Lottery Events

  • Open Houses – Visit an open house to talk to school staff (usually administrators, coordinators, & teachers), ask your questions, and possibly tour the campus! You may also have the opportunity to visit classrooms that are in session, depending upon the time and location of the session.
  • Information Sessions – Visit information sessions to learn more details about a school’s magnet theme from school staff (usually administrators or coordinators). Parents are usually given the opportunity to ask their questions following an informational presentation. Schools may choose to hold information sessions in-person or virtually.
  • School Tours– Designated staff will lead you to walk the halls and see the sights at the school in it’s day to day operations.
  • School Choice Information Session – A School Choice Information Session is a one hour meeting with our School Choice team to learn about the different magnet themes, upcoming lottery dates and lottery application process. You will have the opportunity to ask individual questions to our experts at the end of the session.

Note: Open Houses and Information Sessions for 2024-2025 school year will be added here as they are scheduled. If you do not see a school that you are interested in, contact the school to see if there are any opportunities available.

Dec
11
Wed
2024
Open House @ Oakhurst STEAM Academy
Dec 11 @ 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Open House @ North Academy of World Languages
Dec 11 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am

This event will involve a middle school tour!

Open House @ Charles H. Parker
Dec 11 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

We look forward to sharing our school’s Learning Immersion and Talent Development (LI/TD) program with you at an in-person Open House. This magnet program provides students a learning environment focused on instructional strategies for advanced learners and rigorous curriculum. The LI/TD program serves grades K-5. Students are taught using rigorous instructional strategies and curriculum to foster critical and analytical thinking skills to help them reach their greatest academic potential.

*In-person Open Houses include a tour of the school in addition to the presentation. You MUST sign in with a state-issued ID in order to tour the school! Please choose 1 date, all presentations are the same.

DJV/ Parkside Open House @ 8601 Old Concord Road
Dec 11 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Public Event & Open House @ Whitewater Middle School
Dec 11 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Whitewater Middle Open House: High School Magnet options night for current 8th grade students and families and Environment STEM (E-STEM) information session for rising 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and families.

Open House @ McClintock Middle School
Dec 11 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Please join us at McClintock Middle School for a brief presentation of our school’s mission & vision, our results & impact, and our STEAM magnet offerings. After the presentation, we will take a brief tour of the classrooms and elective offerings. Please RSVP here.

School Event @ Harding University High School
Dec 11 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Information Session @ West Charlotte High School
Dec 11 @ 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm
  • Greetings Future and Prospective Families
  • Please RSVP for one of the 6:15 PM- 7:15 IB Information Sessions
  • Become knowledgeable about West Charlotte High School’s (IB) International Baccalaureate Middle Years, Diploma and Career Related Program.
  • Inquiries may be emailed to the IB Coordinator, Ms. Robinson at ladawna.robinson@cms.k12.nc.us for questions.
  • Looking forward to meeting you soon!
Dec
12
Thu
2024
Information Session @ North Mecklenburg High School
Dec 12 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Open House @ Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences
Dec 12 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Open House @ Charlotte East Language Academy
Dec 12 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Open House @ Lincoln Heights Montessori
Dec 12 @ 9:45 am – 10:45 am

This event is designed for parents who are interested in knowing more about our school and for those interested in participating in the Choice Lottery.

Showcase Event @ University Park Creative Arts
Dec 12 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

We welcome you to see our 2nd and 3rd grade performance Showcase!

School Tour @ Merancas Middle College High
Dec 12 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Open House @ Oaklawn Language Academy
Dec 12 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
CPEC- Open House @ Central Piedmont Early College
Dec 12 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Public Event @ Long Creek Elementary School
Dec 12 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Please join us for a walking tour of the building before our 4th and 5th grade Encore Showcase! 4th and 5th graders at Long Creek pick an Encore Major (band, music, art, theater, or dance). These students will be performing or showcasing their work.

Information Session @ Merancas Middle College High
Dec 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Information Session @ North Mecklenburg High School
Dec 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Open House @ Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences
Dec 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Virtual Information Session @ Charlotte Teacher Early College
Dec 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • This information session will highlight the accomplishments of Charlotte Teacher Early College, (CTEC) its program of study, and the school’s culture. It is designed to educate families about the Early College model and help them understand if CTEC would be a good fit for their student.
  • Meeting Link: http://bit.ly/2425CEECTECInfoSession
Virtual Information Session @ Charlotte Engineering Early College
Dec 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Virtual Information Session @ Charlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual School
Dec 12 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  • Please join CMVS staff members for an informative session on the benefits of virtual learning. CMVS is the only virtual school in North Carolina that exceeded projected student academic growth in 23-24. So, if you are looking for a virtual option that is focused on College & Career Readiness, the choice is clear! Join a session to learn more!
  • Meeting Link: http://bit.ly/CMVSInfo2024
Dec
13
Fri
2024
Open House @ East Mecklenburg High School
Dec 13 @ 8:00 am – 9:30 am
Information Session @ Elizabeth Traditional
Dec 13 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Open House @ North Academy of World Languages
Dec 13 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am

This event will involve an elementary school tour!

Daytime Tours @ Northwest School of the Arts
Dec 13 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
  • Join us for a tour of our beautiful campus and Performing Arts Center led by knowledgeable Student Ambassadors. Explore our state-of-the-art facilities, studios, shops, and student work. During the tour, we’ll visit several Arts departments and answer questions about the school and audition process.
  • While we aim to visit as many areas as possible, certain schedules or events may limit access to some departments. Tours are held during the school day, providing a glimpse into our arts classes and facilities. We’ll also address questions about academics and auditions.
  • The tour runs from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, and prospective students are encouraged to attend. Please note, we will not visit academic classes but will walk through an academic hallway.
  • New Parking Lot Access
    To access the parking lot, turn left onto Celia Avenue from Beatties Ford Rd. Visitors should enter Celia Avenue by turning right off Beatties Ford Rd. You may also park in the bus lot between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Please use caution in the bus lot, especially in the morning.
Open House- Blythe Elementary
Dec 13 @ 12:45 pm – 2:00 pm
School Tour @ Cato Middle College High School
Dec 13 @ 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
Dec
16
Mon
2024
Open House @ Mallard Creek Elementary
Dec 16 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Come learn more about the Learning Immersion & Talent Development Magnet program, including AIG all day, every day in grades 3-5, at Mallard Creek Elementary. This Open House includes a tour of our school.

Open House @ Piedmont Middle IB
Dec 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

This event will include an information session about our school and our IB program delivery. We will also tour the building and classrooms. We will provide lots of Q&A opportunities.

Dec
17
Tue
2024
Open House @ Idlewild Elementary School
Dec 17 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Join us for an Informational Meeting followed by a School Tour.

Virtual Information Session @ Harper Middle College High School
Dec 17 @ 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
Information Session @ East Mecklenburg High School
Dec 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Open House @ Quail Hollow Middle School
Dec 17 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Virtual Information Session @ North Mecklenburg High School
Dec 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Meeting link will be sent to registrants

Virtual Information Session @ Idlewild Elementary School
Dec 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join us for a virtual Informational Meeting via Zoom.

Dec
18
Wed
2024
Open House @ Randolph IB Middle
Dec 18 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

This will be an informational session about our IB program and school tours.

Information Session @ West Charlotte High School
Dec 18 @ 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm
  • Greetings Future and Prospective Families
  • Please RSVP for one of the 6:15 PM- 7:15 IB Information Sessions
  • Become knowledgeable about West Charlotte High School’s (IB) International Baccalaureate Middle Years, Diploma and Career Related Program.
  • Inquiries may be emailed to the IB Coordinator, Ms. Robinson at ladawna.robinson@cms.k12.nc.us for questions.
  • Looking forward to meeting you soon!
Dec
19
Thu
2024
Open House @ Irwin Academic Center
Dec 19 @ 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Dec
20
Fri
2024
School Tour @ South Mecklenburg High School
Dec 20 @ 8:30 am – 9:30 am

Families who are interested in SMHS as well as the World Language magnet program can attend this event led by South Meck student ambassadors and WLM parents for deep insight along with a tour of the campus.

Please be sure to meet in the front office and to bring a photo ID to check in.

World Languages (Chinese, German, Japanese, French, Spanish)

Feel free to contact  if you have any questions.

Open House @ Lansdowne Elementary School
Dec 20 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Jan
10
Fri
2025
Daytime Tours @ Northwest School of the Arts
Jan 10 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
  • Join us for a tour of our beautiful campus and Performing Arts Center led by knowledgeable Student Ambassadors. Explore our state-of-the-art facilities, studios, shops, and student work. During the tour, we’ll visit several Arts departments and answer questions about the school and audition process.
  • While we aim to visit as many areas as possible, certain schedules or events may limit access to some departments. Tours are held during the school day, providing a glimpse into our arts classes and facilities. We’ll also address questions about academics and auditions.
  • The tour runs from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, and prospective students are encouraged to attend. Please note, we will not visit academic classes but will walk through an academic hallway.
  • New Parking Lot Access
    To access the parking lot, turn left onto Celia Avenue from Beatties Ford Rd. Visitors should enter Celia Avenue by turning right off Beatties Ford Rd. You may also park in the bus lot between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Please use caution in the bus lot, especially in the morning.
Jan
14
Tue
2025
Open House @ Charlotte East Language Academy
Jan 14 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Jan
17
Fri
2025
Open House @ Lansdowne Elementary School
Jan 17 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Feb
28
Fri
2025
Open House @ Lansdowne Elementary School
Feb 28 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Mar
13
Thu
2025
Information Session @ Tuckaseegee Elementary
Mar 13 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

LI/TD Magnet information session

For in-person sessions, sign in at the front office.

Mar
28
Fri
2025
Open House @ Lansdowne Elementary School
Mar 28 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am