Information nights set for RCS magnet, choice schools

*UPDATED NOVEMBER 14, 2024*

By MEALAND RAGLAND-HUDGINS
Rutherford County Schools

Rutherford County Schools offers several options for families interested in magnet schools or other specialized programs.

To help prepare for the 2025-2026 academic year, some schools will host information nights to help families learn more about the application process, which begins Dec. 1.

A district-wide Choice School Fair will be scheduled for January and announced soon. 

Rutherford County Schools will open choice school applications for the 2025-2026 school year in two phases.
 
Those parents wishing to apply for a seat at Central Magnet School, Holloway High School, Homer Pittard Campus School, McFadden School of Excellence, the Rutherford County Virtual School, and Thurman Francis Arts Academy, applications will be accepted from Dec. 1, 2024 through Jan. 31, 2025. You can learn more about these schools by visiting their websites or visiting one of the upcoming parent information sessions (see schedule below). 
 
Applications will also be accepted during this time for the two RCS charter schools, Springs Empower Academy and American Classical Academy Rutherford. 
 
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Availability for choice seats (zone exemptions) to any other Rutherford County school will be released in mid-December 2024, and applications will be accepted through January 31, 2025. Once the application window closes for these schools, a random lottery will be used to decide who receives a seat. A choice school fair will be scheduled for January. 
 
The determination of open seats will be decided after the School Board makes a final decision on the upcoming rezoning plan. A meeting to decide this zoning is scheduled for Dec. 10, 2024 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the RCS Central Office, 2240 Southpark Drive in Murfreesboro. This meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on YouTube. 
 
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Below is a list of schools with events scheduled and a link to information about admission criteria.

 

Homer Pittard Campus School

When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 923 E. Lytle St., Murfreesboro

Grades served: K-5

Admission information: https://4.files.edl.io/b08e/02/05/24/130638-f4d07dbe-23af-4b7b-bd53-9fc4d6ffddf9.pdf

 

Central Magnet School

When: 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18 at 701 E. Main St., Murfreesboro

Grades served: 6-12

Admission information: https://central.rcschools.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=563161&type=d&pREC_ID=2394781

 

McFadden School of Excellence

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 221 Bridge Ave., Murfreesboro

Grades served: K-5

Admission information: https://mes.rcschools.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=539450&type=d&pREC_ID=1049252

 

Thurman Francis Arts Academy

When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 221 Todd Lane, Smyrna

Grades served: K-8

Admission information: https://tfs.rcschools.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=562846&type=d&pREC_ID=1086646

 

Oakland High School International Baccalaureate Program

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 2225 Patriot Drive, Murfreesboro

Grades served: 9-12

Admission information: https://ohs.rcschools.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1469290&type=d&pREC_ID=1999827

 

Holloway High School

When: No in-person meeting, but student interview required. Annual open house held in July.

Grades served: 9-12

Admission information: https://hhs.rcschools.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=554615&type=d&pREC_ID=1057838

 

Charter Schools

American Classical Academy

When:

  1. November 16 (Saturday), 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  2. November 22 (Friday), 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  3. December 5 (Thursday), 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Grades served: K-6

Admission information: https://rutherfordclassical.org/