Note: Not all schools use all of the admission criteria listed below.   Point values for each admission criterion listed below may differ between programs and schools.

See the Audition/Assessment Guidelines from the specific school/program for details.

In order to qualify for admission into a high school magnet program, applicants must earn at least 80% of the program’s assessment criteria points. 

Mathematics Enrollment:
For programs that use math enrollment as a criterion:

• If the Grade 9 applicant is currently enrolled in Algebra I or higher, the applicant will receive full credit.
• If the Grade 9 applicant is currently enrolled in Algebraic Thinking 2, the applicant will receive half credit.
• If the Grade 9 applicant is currently enrolled in Pre-Algebra, Math 8, or a lower mathematics course, the applicant will receive no credit.
• If the Grade 10 or 11 applicant is currently enrolled in Algebra II, geometry, or a higher level of math, the applicant will receive full credit.
• If the Grade 10 or 11 applicant is currently enrolled in Algebra I, the applicant will receive half credit.
• If the Grade 10 or 11 applicant is currently enrolled in a course below Algebra I, the applicant will receive no credit.
• If the applicant’s math course is not listed as Algebra I or Algebra II, the office DOES NOT assume it is an algebra course; the course level must be verified by the current school.

Grade Calculation:

• A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, E=0 – Five quarters (or four trimesters) are used. Final year grades are not considered in the calculation.
• If any quarter is missing, it will be recorded as INCOMPLETE and the parent/guardian will be contacted for additional information.
• Scale (rounded up to nearest tenth):
• A = 3.5 - 4.0
• B = 2.5 - 3.4
• C = 1.5 - 2.4
• D = 0.5 - 1.4
• E = 0 - 0.4
• Score
• Applicant receives full points for required minimum average.
• Applicant receives zero points for less than required minimum average.
• Baltimore County Public Schools defines letter grades in Superintendent’s Rule 5220. Letter grades from non-BCPS schools will be reviewed as written on the report card and will not be converted to any other letter grade.

Unlawful Absence (previous and current year combined):

• If attendance is 94% or higher, applicant receives full points - 14 days absent or less.
• If attendance is less than 94%, applicant receives zero points - 15 days absent or more.
• Method: Divide number of days absent by 225 days (180+45).
• Only unexcused/unlawful absences are considered for attendance. When necessary, middle schools will be contacted for lawful/unlawful count.

On-site Assessments:

• On-site assessments are scored by the schools and submitted to the magnet office.
• Students who do not attend on-site assessments will not be considered for admission.

Missing Items:

• Applicant is scored INCOMPLETE for any required item that is not included with the application.
• One phone call will be placed to number on application to request information.
• Application will not be processed if information is not received prior to winter break.

When there are more qualified applicants than program seats, in accordance with Superintendent’s Rule 6400: Magnet Schools Admission, a random lottery is used to select qualified applicants for placement in the program.  Qualified applicants who are not offered admission are placed on a waiting list for that program.