Program Choice is the opportunity for families to choose an instructional style or theme that is a best fit for their student. Program Choice in Cabarrus County Schools allows parents to apply for a program of interest while still maintaining enrollment in our local public school system. School assignment is determined by the students' address.

Program Choice serves three purposes in Cabarrus County:

1. To improve academic achievement by providing challenging curriculum
2. To provide parents with program options to select the most appropriate delivery method for their child(ren)
3. To promote and maintain diversity in our schools

Each program is centered on a theme or adheres to a specific program of study. The application process is open to any student who lives within the Cabarrus County School District and meets the criteria for entrance.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications for the 26-27 school year will be open from Wednesday, October 15, 2025 to Sunday, December 14, 2025. Parent notification of placement will occur in the online family dashboard the week of February 2, 2026. Parents will have until Monday, February 16, 2026 to make a decision and accept a seat in their online dashboard. Any seats not accepted within this window will be forfeited to waitlisted students. 

Timeline for Application Process:

• Wednesday, October 15th- Applications open in Scribble.s
• September - December - Program Open Houses held at each Program Choice Magnet school.
• Sunday, December 14th- Applications close at midnight.
• Monday, February 2nd (by the end of business day) - Parent notification of placement will occur in the online family dashboard 

PLACEMENT PROCESS

Demand for CCS Program Choice currently exceeds seat availability. A randomized lottery is used to select students for placement. Notifications of placement are sent in February to the families of all applicants. Students who are not admitted at the end of the application period shall be placed on a waiting list in the order determined by the randomized lottery. Students shall be admitted from the waiting list as space becomes available, up to the first student school day in the order he/she appears on the waiting list.

For more information, please email programchoice@cabarrus.k12.nc.us.