Magnet and Specialty Programs

Applications: CURRENT NNPS STUDENTS

IMPORTANT! YEAR 2 PROCESS FOR SUBMITTING MAGNET APPLICATIONS FOR CURRENT NNPS STUDENTS!

Please read this information carefully as it is critical that the correct application is submitted for your child.

Current NNPS students: Families of current NNPS students seeking magnet admission for the 2025-2026 school year, must submit the magnet application using their ParentVUE account and the online registration option. If you need help accessing your ParentVUE account or setting up a ParentVUE account, please contact your child's school.

Current NNPS students submitting an external (non-NNPS) magnet application will NOT be processed in the magnet lottery.

The application portal will be open November 1 through December 16, 2024. All on-time applications will be processed in the lottery and letters will be mailed mid-January notifying families of magnet placement for the 2025-2026 school year.

Applications: NON-NNPS STUDENTS

If your student is NOT currently enrolled in NNPS, you must submit an external application. Please use the appropriate link below if your student is NOT currently enrolled in Newport News Public Schools (links will posted when available):

The application portal will remain open through December 16, 2024. All on-time applications will be processed in the lottery and letters will be mailed mid-January notifying families of magnet placement for the 2025-2026 school year.

Military Student Waiver for Magnet Application Deadline

Military families who have missed or will miss the magnet school application deadline due to military transfer timing may contact the magnet school office at (757) 283-7850 x.10206 to request a deadline waiver. This will provide an opportunity for those military families to apply for a magnet program after the stated deadline.

All magnet program applicants will be notified by mail in mid-January.

Magnet programs offer a specialized focus in the curriculum or distinctive types of environments and instruction.

Newport News Public Schools offers elementary, middle and high school students the chance to focus in such areas as environmental science, communication and performing arts, aviation, global studies, and math, science, technology and engineering through a variety of magnet and specialty program options.

Some magnet programs are school-wide, while others are programs within larger schools.

Our programs:

  • Offer a specialized focus in the curriculum or distinctive type of environment or instruction

  • Serve children from across the city and every child is eligible to apply

  • Provides opportunity for identified students to participate in magnet and gifted programs simultaneously

  • Are designed to maintain racial balance of student body

  • Transportation for all programs

How to Apply for Magnet & Specialty Programs using ParentVUE

Magnet Programs Directory

Open House Schedule

High School Open Houses

Aviation Academy at Denbigh High
November 6, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Governor's STEM Academy at Heritage High
November 13, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

University Magnet at Heritage High
November 13, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Governor's Health Sciences Academy at Warwick High
November 12, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Warwick High
November 12, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Center for the Arts and Communications at Woodside High
November 6, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Maritime Engineering & Environmental Studies Academy (MEESA) at Brooks Crossing iLab
November 14, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Download Open House Schedule

Middle School Open Houses

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Magnet at Crittenden Middle
November 4, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Marine Science and Pre-Advanced Placement Magnet at B.T. Washington Middle
November 7, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Elementary School Open Houses

Environmental Science Magnet at Deer Park Elementary
November 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Discovery STEM Academy
November 19, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Global Studies Magnet at Dutrow Elementary
November 21, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Communication Arts Magnet at Hilton Elementary
November 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Magnet at Newsome Park Elementary
November 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I decide where to apply?

First look at your child's interests and needs, and talk to the child's teachers. Then, visit all schools you are considering, including your zoned comprehensive school. All schools—comprehensive, magnet programs and specialty academies programs—are built around the same core curriculum in all disciplines and meet all state Standards of Learning. Transportation is provided for all programs.

To find out the comprehensive school to which your child is assigned, call 757-591-4500 or use our Zone Finder.

How do I apply?

All magnet applications must be submitted electronically. A separate application must be submitted for each child desiring admission to a magnet program for the 2024-2025 school year.

Families of current NNPS students seeking magnet admission for the next school year, must submit the magnet application using their ParentVUE account and the online registration option. If you need help accessing your ParentVUE account or setting up a ParentVUE account, please contact your child's school.

If your child is not currently enrolled in NNPS, you must submit an external application.

Current NNPS students submitting an external application will not be processed in the magnet lottery. The magnet application must be submitted through the parent portal only for student on roll in NNPS.

If you need additional assistance, please contact the NNPS Magnet Office at (757)283-7850 x.10314.

If your child is a current NNPS student desiring to make an adjustment to your magnet application selection, you can do so through your ParentVUE account up until December 16, 2024. If you have submitted an external application for your child and would like to make a change to your magnet application selection, please request the change in writing prior to the closing date.

How are students accepted?

Applicants are assigned a random lottery number by the computer, and students will be selected based on these numbers.

Acceptance is based on numerical order and outlined priorities with attention to racial balance.

What priorities are considered in the application process?

For magnet programs, application priority is given in this order to:

  1. Students currently enrolled in a magnet program who wish to continue in that program, including students who are moving from elementary to middle school magnets or middle to high school magnets of the same type. For example, students in the STEM magnet at Crittenden have priority for the Heritage High School Governor's STEM Academy; however, each student must fill out a magnet application for Heritage. Also, rising 6th grade magnet students at Deer Park, Newsome Park and Discovery STEM Academy will have a priority to Crittenden Middle School; however, each student must fill out a magnet application for Crittenden.

  2. Students who are siblings of students currently enrolled in that program at that specific school. This means, for example, that if you have a seventh grader at Booker T. Washington Middle School, your rising sixth grader will be given priority at Washington.

  3. Other applicants based on their lottery numbers.

Note concerning admission of non-Newport News students (outlined in School Board Procedure JFAB-P): Newport News Public Schools students are given first priority for inclusion in magnet programs. Non-resident students cannot enter the lottery for magnet program admission. Non-resident students interested in attending magnet programs will be considered only after the lottery and selection process for resident students has been completed and the steps outlined in School Board Procedure JFAB-P have been completed. Applications for non-resident students may be submitted on August 1.

Directory of Programs

Elementary School Programs

School Program Info
Deer Park Environmental Science Magnet
Download magnet brochure
Scott Meadows , Principal
11541 Jefferson Ave., 23601
(757)591-7470, Fax 591-7448
Discovery STEM Academy Discovery STEM Academy
Download magnet brochure
Viveca Rutland , Principal
1712 Chestnut Avenue, 23607
(757)928-6838, Fax 247-0422
Dutrow Global Studies Magnet
Download magnet brochure
Karen Brown , Principal
60 Curtis Tignor Road, 23608
(757)886-7760, Fax 989-0932
Hilton Communication Arts Magnet
Download magnet brochure
Troy Latuch , Principal
225 River Road, 23601
(757)591-4772, Fax 599-4382
Newsome Park Math, Science & Technology Magnet
Download magnet brochure
Dr. Darra White , Principal
4200 Marshall Avenue, 23607
(757)928-6810, Fax 247-3218

Middle School Programs

School Program Info
Crittenden STEM Magnet (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
Download magnet brochure
Dr. Natia Smith , Principal
6158 Jefferson Avenue, 23605
(757)591-4900, Fax 838-8261
B.T. Washington
Marine Science & Pre-Advanced Placement Magnet
Download magnet brochure
Karen Bazemore-Person , Principal
3700 Chestnut Avenue, 23607
(757)928-6860, Fax 247-1119

High School Programs

School Program Info
Denbigh Aviation Academy Magnet
Download magnet brochure (en español)
Aviation Academy Video
Dr. Adria Strothers , Principal
Dr. Aaron Smith, Program Administrator
259 Denbigh Boulevard, 23608

(757)886-7700, Fax 872-6542
Heritage

Governor's STEM Academy
Download brochure
Governor's STEM Academy Video

University Magnet
Download magnet brochure

Dr. Earling Hunter , Principal
Lenise Cowling, Program Administrator 
5800 Marshall Avenue, 23605
(757)928-6100, Fax 247-9058
Warwick

Governor's Health Sciences Academy
Download brochure
Governor's Health Sciences Academy Video

Tiffany Thompson , Principal
51 Copeland Lane, 23601
(757)591-4700, Fax 596-7415
Woodside Arts & Communications Magnet
Download magnet brochure
Dr. Mary Hardesty , Principal
Amy Insley, Program Administrator 
13450 Woodside Lane, 23608
(757)886-7530, Fax 877-0480
Brooks Crossing Innovation Lab

Maritime Engineering and Environmental
Studies Academy
Download magnet brochure

Maritime Engineering and Environmental Studies Academy is planned for NNPS

Darrell Pankratz, Executive Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning
and K12 Programs
550 30th Street, 23607
(757)283-7850 x.10206

Specialty Programs

School Program Info
An Achievable Dream Academy An Achievable Dream is a partnership between Newport News Public Schools, the City of Newport News, and the community to help children start on the path toward college. Tabitha Evans , Principal
726 16th Street, 23607
(757)928-6827, Fax 247-1720
An Achievable Dream Middle & High

An Achievable Dream is a partnership between Newport News Public Schools, the City of Newport News, and the community to help children start on the path toward college.

Ramona Brower , Principal
5720 Marshall Avenue, 23605
(757)283-7820, Fax 283-7844
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Warwick High School

A rigorous and comprehensive two-year program, the IB World School at Warwick High School prepares students to earn the IB diploma. The coursework is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education and to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility. Many colleges and universities give preference in admissions and advanced standing or credit to students with IB diplomas. Download brochure

Tiffany Thompson , Principal
51 Copeland Lane, 23601
(757)591-4700, Fax 596-7415
Point Option This nontraditional program serves students who are capable of completing high school but who, in a regular high school, do not work up to their potential and who need a different environment to succeed in school. Stephanie Bean, Program Administrator , Principal
813 Diligence Dr., Suite 100, 23606
(757)591-7408, Fax 865-4508