Cabarrus County Schools families will use one application to apply for magnet and specialty programs for the first time. The change, for the 2027-28 school year, replaces the old process of filing separate applications for each program, the district said in its weekly newsletter.

Starting Thursday, Oct. 1, families can apply through the district's Scribbles platform, selecting up to three programs and ranking them in order of preference. The application window closes Monday, Nov. 30.

The district will showcase its program options at the fifth annual Futures Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 4751 State Hwy 49, Concord. The event runs 5 to 8 p.m.

That day is a student holiday. Oct. 13 is a capped teacher workday for traditional-calendar students.

Two fairs under one roof

The evening splits into two parts. A Program Choice Fair from 5 to 7 p.m. will feature representatives from programs including International Baccalaureate, STEM, Fine Arts, Spanish and Mandarin dual language immersion, the Cabarrus Virtual Academy, high school career academies and early colleges. Families can also preview play-based kindergarten.

A College, Career and Military Fair runs from 6 to 8 p.m. under the theme "What Is Your E? Enroll. Enlist. Employ." More than 100 college admissions representatives will attend, along with military recruiters from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard and Navy. Students visiting college representatives are asked to register for a barcode in advance at StriveScan.com.

Key dates for families

The district's Program Choice page lists 19 specialty options across elementary, middle and high school levels, including the Healthcare Innovation Microschool, the Academy of Aviation and Aerospace, and the Academy of Financial Technology.

After the Nov. 30 deadline, parents will receive placement notifications through their online family dashboard the week of Jan. 19, 2027. Families will have until Monday, Feb. 1, 2027, to accept a seat. Unaccepted seats go to waitlisted students.

Individual program schools are also holding open houses from September through November 2026 alongside the application window.

Families with questions can email [email protected]. Food trucks will be on site at the Oct. 13 event.