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Elementary Magnets

2025 - 2026 Magnet Application Timeline

Thursday, January 30, 2025 – Magnet Application Window Opens

Friday, February 28, 2025 – Magnet Application Window Closes at 5:00 PM

Monday, March 10, 2025 – Lottery Occurs (if needed)

Monday, March 17, 2025 – First wave of notification letters are mailed and emailed for accepted and waitlisted students

Monday, March 31, 2025 – Parent deadline to submit first wave acceptance via Google survey must be completed by 5:00 PM

Monday, April 5, 2025 – Second wave of notification letters are mailed and emailed for wait-listed students

Friday, April 18, 2025 – Parent deadline to submit second wave acceptance via Google survey must be completed by 5:00 PM

Friday, June 27, 2025 – Last day to declare a change of intent for attending a magnet school. Magnet placement requests after this date will require approval from Student Services via the Elementary School Choice process

Friday, July 11, 2025 – Last day for kindergarten magnet students or transfers from out of district to enroll at accepted magnet school or slot is filled with students from the waitlist

Global Studies & Dual Language Immersion

Fred L. Wilson Elementary: 704-932-8656

Jackson Park Elementary: 704-933-2831

A+ Arts

G. W. Carver Elementary: 704-932-4161

¿Es usted una familia de habla hispana y tiene preguntas? Por favor comuniquese con Janeth Ramirez en janeth.ramirez@kcs.k12.nc.us o al 704-431-3675.

What are Magnet Schools?

Magnet schools are traditional public schools that offer specialized programs or courses. They teach the same standard curriculum as all other NC public schools while providing a special emphasis in certain subject areas, such as the arts, foreign language, or global studies.

Open to All Students

Magnet schools are open to students from across the KCS district. Students do not have to live within the magnet school’s attendance zone in order to take part in a magnet program. However, they must be enrolled in Kannapolis City Schools. Space is limited in all magnet programs, so KCS will accept applications beginning in January of each year. If there are more applications than available seats, KCS will use a lottery system to select students for magnet programs.

High Academic Achievement

Even though magnet schools focus on a specific subject or theme, research shows that students who attend magnet schools excel in all subject areas.


G.W. Carver Elementary

G.W Carver Elementary is the home of the A+ Arts magnet program. A+ Arts is the largest, longest running, and most successful arts-based magnet program in the nation. At G.W. Carver, arts instruction is embedded into all subjects and curriculum. Students receive high quality instruction in all core areas with music, art, dance, and theater. Hands on learning combined with partnerships with local professional artists and organizations, including the Cabarrus Arts Council provide ongoing activities and instructional experiences.

Features of A+ Arts at GWC:

  • One of 64 A+ schools in North Carolina, and one of two in Cabarrus County
  • Arts Integration in all aspects of content and curriculum
  • Teachers receive additional, focused training, support, and mentoring for A+ Art
  • Collaboration with local and state level art organizations, and partners in the field of education to support art based projects
Fred L. Wilson & Jackson Park Elementary Schools

Fred L. Wilson Elementary and Jackson Park Elementary are home to two KCS magnet programs: Global Studies and Dual Language Immersion. The two programs are part of the highly successful Participate education program and work together to give students a strong global outlook and prepare them for success in an international economy. 

Here are features of the Global Studies and Dual Language Immersion programs:

  • Global Studies and Dual Language Immersion programs offer high quality instruction in all subject areas including reading, math, science, and social studies
  • Participation has shown to raise student success and reduce student achievement gaps
  • Classes are taught by current KCS teachers as well as teachers from the Visiting International Faculty Program
  • Students in our Dual Language Immersion program will be immersed in instruction in both English and Spanish, which not only develops them as bilingual but also significantly strengthens their literacy and academic skills
  • All students benefit from the Global Studies program at both schools. Each grade level is assigned a region of focus, and while our curriculum aligns with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, our teachers at both schools will take these learning objectives and put a wonderful global spin on it.
  • The Global Studies program includes all Fred L. Wilson and Jackson Park students. The Dual Language Immersion program is open to enrolling kindergarten students each year at both schools. At both schools, limited slots are available for first grade students as well.

Additional Information

  • KCS magnet programs are open to kindergarten through 5th grade students
  • Transportation is offered for magnet programs – other programs are available by elementary school choice and transportation is not available outside of the home school zone
  • Space is limited in magnet programs. KCS accepts applications to fill available slots. If there are not enough spaces to accept all students that apply, KCS uses a lottery system select students for its magnet programs
  • Elementary School Choice program is also available to allow families to apply