Here's this year's timeline for applying to magnet, charter and many other schools in LAUSD

The application window for hundreds of Los Angeles Unified schools opens next month.

Parents can submit a “Choices” application to several of the district’s specialized academic programs, including magnets, dual language, and some charter schools, starting Oct. 1.

How does it work?

If you want to attend your local school, the process is fairly straightforward, but to send your child to another school or a specialized program within the district, it gets more complicated.

LAUSD has worked to streamline its “confusing maze” of school choices in recent years, but the process still perplexes many families.

There are two windows to apply — on time and late. The latter consists of all the spaces left after families who applied on time accept their offers.

For the 2026-27 school year, here’s the Choices timeline announced so far:

• September/October: Multiple schools gather to share information at in-person and virtual “Choices fairs.”
• Oct. 1: On-time Choices application opens.
• Nov. 14:  Deadline to apply online or by mail.
• Feb. 2, 2026:  Late applications begin.
• March 2026: On-time application results sent.
• Early April 2026: Deadline to accept or decline school offers for on-time applicants.
• April 2026: Late selection process begins.

Independent charter schools have a separate application process that is unique to each school; check those schools' websites for more information.

How to prepare

The default option is to attend the assigned school nearest your home, but there are many reasons families may consider another school. Some of these schools are so popular there isn’t room for every student who wants to enroll.

No one type of school is inherently better than another, and no one metric defines a great school — there are many factors beyond test scores to consider. Here are some of the factors that can contribute to a “good school”:

• High-quality, experienced teachers and administrators.
• Engaged parents and families — and avenues for them to participate at the school.
• Clean and safe facilities.
• Access to play and extracurricular activities, including arts, sports, and other clubs. 
• Student progress on academic goals, i.e. boosting reading scores.

You can also check data about student attendance, discipline, and parent surveys on school safety. Here's our guide to doing your own research.

By far, the most frequent piece of advice we’ve heard is to go on an in-person school tour if possible.

“The very best thing that people can do is go to the school and try to watch the way that educators interact with students, the way that students interact with each other, and the way that families are included or not in the life of a school,” says Jack Schneider, a University of Massachusetts, Amherst, education researcher and parent. “Once you do that, you really get a sense of what kind of place kids are going to school.”

Some schools post information about tours online, but you may have to call for details.

LAUSD also has convened a series of school choice fairs in recent years. Those typically occur, both virtually and in person, in late September and October.

Meet LAist and learn more

Over the next few months, the LAist education team will be out in the community talking about our School Game Plan series and distributing a brand new workbook to help guide families through their journey.

Wed. Sept. 10

Where: Westchester - Loyola Village Branch Library, 7114 W. Manchester Ave., Los Angeles

What: Storytime, plus a meet-and-greet with LAist

When: 10:15-11 a.m.

Parking: Free, parking lot onsite

Past events:

Wed. Sept. 3

Where: Los Feliz Branch Library, 1874 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles

What: Toddler and baby storytime, plus a meet-and-greet with LAist

When: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Parking: Free, parking lot onsite

Sun. Sept. 7

Where: West Hollywood Park, 647 N San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood

What: Los Angeles Kids Book Festival, Booth 72

When: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tickets: Free, sign up here

Parking: 

All day:

• West Hollywood Park 5-Story, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. 
• First hour free, $1 each 15 minutes with a $6 max.

 After 1 p.m.:

• Municipal Structure #3, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. (adjacent to 5-story garage)
• $1 each 15 minutes with a $12 max. Three hours free with West Hollywood Library validation.