School Selection Process

School Selection Process - Oct. 1 - Nov. 30, 2025

The School Selection Process, formerly known as the Lottery, for the 2026-27 school year is open Oct. 1 - Nov. 30, 2025. New this year, students have the first opportunity to select their school, Oct. 1-31, before the process opens to families, Nov. 1-30. Students and families may apply to a CPS high school, middle school or junior high, magnet school or magnet program through Focus, the district’s Student Information System (SIS). Siblings are given priority for magnet schools, but must still apply through Focus during the School Selection Process.

You may select your school at any time during the School Selection Process window as applications are not processed on a first come, first served basis. Families will receive notification in January 2026*.

All applications must be submitted online. If you do not have access to a computer, please visit a school or CPS Customer Care Centralized Enrollment Center at 2651 Burnet Ave. to access a computer for online application assistance.

Need help creating a Focus account or linking your student? Please see our quick guides and video instructions: Focus - Cincinnati Public Schools

If you have any questions, please contact the CPS Customer Care Centralized Enrollment Center at 513-363-0123.

*Dates are subject to change

APPLY IN FOCUS HERE

Montessori High School Enrollment

All in-district students in Grade 6 currently enrolled at a CPS Montessori elementary school, and interested in attending either Clark Montessori High School or James N. Gamble Montessori High School will automatically be entered into the School Selection Process based on their home address. For more information about Montessori High School Acceptance, click here.

Open Enrollment – Feb. 1-28, 2026

Students in preschool through 12th grade who live outside the boundaries of the Cincinnati Public School District may apply for admission to CPS schools during the annual Open Enrollment Application period. Applications for the 2026-27 school year are accepted Feb. 1-28, 2026. Families will receive notification via Focus within 90 days of Open Enrollment completion.

*Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students Open Enrollment

The Open Enrollment form for the 2026-27 school year will be available Feb. 1-28, 2026. You must speak with a Spencer Center office staff member to review your student’s test scores for eligibility prior to completing the form. You may contact the main office at 513-363-3400. Completing the registration process does not guarantee a spot for the 2026-27 school year.

Eligibility

Who SHOULD participate in the School Selection Process?

Rising in-district preschool and elementary students

In-district students interested in applying to a CPS magnet school or magnet program.

Current in-district elementary students

In-district students attending an elementary school (CPS, private, charter, parochial or home schools) that ends in 5th, 6th or 8th grade must participate in the online application to apply for a CPS middle school, junior high or high school.

Current in-district non-CPS high school students

In-district students attending a non-CPS high school (private, charter, parochial or home schools) applying for grades 7th, 8th or 9th must participate in the online application to apply for a CPS junior high or high school.

Who SHOULD NOT participate in the School Selection Process?

Current CPS high school students residing in the district boundary and wanting to transfer to another CPS high school

Families of current in-district CPS students now attending a high school in grades 7-12 who want to change high schools must apply in person at their high school of choice using CPS' paper application form.
View and download the form: High School Application 2026-27

Non-CPS students residing in the district boundary in grades 9, 10 and 11 and wanting to attend a CPS high school

Families of non-CPS in-district students currently in 9th, 10th or 11th grade attending private, charter, parochial or home schools who want their children to enter CPS' high schools and who live within the CPS district must apply in person at their high school of choice using CPS' paper application form.
View and download the form: High School Application 2026-27

Out-of-District students

Families of out-of-district students interested in attending a CPS school must apply online during the Open Enrollment period Feb. 1-28, 2025.

Beginning the Application Process

Please begin your application by registering your child or linking your existing CPS student to your Focus account.

Current CPS students should not complete a new registration. Please ensure your student is linked to your parent/guardian Focus account with your student's Focus Student ID number.
New students must complete the online registration. Parents/guardians may complete this process for their student through their parent/guardian Focus account.