2nd Hillsborough Schools Choice Window Opens May 8

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Students in Hillsborough County will soon be able to apply to an array of Magnet Schools and Choice Attractor Programs with specialized themes and innovative new programs as the district’s second Choice Application window opens.

The original April window was cancelled due to school closures.

The second Choice Application window will open May 8 at 5 p.m. and remain open through May 17 at 11:59 p.m. Families can fill out an online application for a potential offer to the school of their choice here.

Magnet School and Choice Attractor Program themes include everything from medical and environmental sciences to International Baccalaureate and Cambridge/AICE programs. These programs give families multiple options outside their zoned school to find the specialized theme that best fits their child’s interests.

Programs include:

Elementary:

• Lomax Elementary Magnet: Lomax is a Gifted and Talent Development Academy, with activities such as LEGO and VEX Robotics, along with enrichment classes like world drumming, violin and Little Kids Rock Band.
• Riverwalk STEM Academy at Just Elementary: Students are immersed in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum with options like EV3 Robotics and coding, along with family STEM nights.

Middle

• South Tampa Academy at Monroe Magnet: Incoming sixth-grade students will be the first class to take part in one of the district’s newest IB programs. South Tampa Academy is an IB Candidate School that aims to develop active and internationally minded learners.
• Dowdell Middle Magnet: Students focus on an environmental studies curriculum with outdoor learning centers along with hydroponics and aquaponics labs.
• Greco Middle Magnet: Also one of the newest IB programs in the district, Greco is an IB-Candidate School that also houses a STEM academy with academically rigorous courses and high school credit options.

High

• Jefferson High: Jefferson is home to several magnet academies to fit a number of student interests. They include a Business and Finance Leadership Academy, Culinary Arts, Maritime, Law and Criminal Justice Leadership academies.
• Freedom High: Students can participate in New Tampa Digital Academy where they can prepare for careers in web design, game design and 3D animation.
• Chamberlain High: Chamberlain is introducing a new 3DE program, which partners students with the local business community. Students are provided relevant case studies geared toward entrepreneurial thinking and authentic workplace experiences.

After applying for one of dozens of options, families will be notified between May 29 and June 8th via email to view potential offers. There is limited space in these programs, but more is still available.