2021 Academy Open House Information

Sept. 9, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians of U-46 middle school students,

We invite you to attend our virtual Open Houses and presentation events next week to learn more about the District’s high school Magnet Academies. Eighth graders can apply for admission to the following five academy programs:

• Beacon Academy of Media and Digital Arts at South Elgin High School 
• International Baccalaureate Academy - (pending approval - previously Gifted and Talented Academy) at Elgin High School
• Science, Engineering and High Technology Academy at Bartlett High School
• Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Larkin High School
• Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Action, and Design Academy  (pending approval - previously World Languages and International Studies Academy) at Streamwood High School.

NOTE: Students currently enrolled in the World Languages and International Studies Academy, and the Gifted and Talented Academy will continue their original sequence of courses. The updated academy programs at Streamwood and Elgin High School will begin with the freshman class of 2022-23. 

Application and Lottery Process for U-46 Academies 

The application process for the District’s five Magnet Academies will open Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. Students who are in 8th grade can submit applications from Sept. 20 through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. Students are required to have a 2.0 GPA and two letters of recommendation to be considered.  Additional information on preferences and priorities for the lottery are available at this link along with access to the application platform: https://www.u-46.org/magnetacademies.

Virtual Open House Information By School 

To help students and their families better understand the focus of the Magnet Academies, all five high schools are hosting virtual open houses the week of Sept. 13th. The schedule and Zoom links are available below.

Thank you,

Dr. Teresa Lance

Assistant Superintendent of Equity & Innovation 

School District U-46

Virtual Open House Information By School 

To help students and their families better understand the focus of the Magnet Academies, all five high schools are hosting virtual open houses the weeks of Sept. 13 and 20. The schedule is posted below:

Magnet Academy Open House Information

If you are interested in attending one or more open houses, you will be able to find links to the presentations on our website https://www.u-46.org/magnetacademies. You will also be able to find recordings of these events on our website no later than September 24. 

Important Dates:

The weeks of September 13 and September 20 - Magnet Academy Open Houses

September 20 - Magnet Academy Application Window Opens

November 5 - Magnet Academy Application Window Closes

November 12 - Lottery Runs