• Is Piscataway Magnet School a public school?

Absolutely. In New Jersey, county magnet schools are a county-wide shared service funded by Boards of Chosen Freeholders and state and federal aid. Every student who lives in a county is eligible to apply for admission to their county-operated vocational-technical school. In rare instances, if a program is not available in that county vocational school, at the discretion of the local county, schools will accept applications from out-of-county students depending on availability.

• Who attends Piscataway Magnet School?

Piscataway Magnet School is a good choice for students of all abilities because research shows that students learn in different ways. The opportunity for hands-on learning and applied academics means that magnet schools are able to make high school come to life for many students who previously struggled. Piscataway Magnet School programs are also a great option for talented students seeking a challenging academic program with a specific career focus.

• Does Piscataway Magnet School offer the same academic courses as traditional high schools?

Piscataway Magnet School offers exciting programs for students with a wide range of interests and abilities. Piscataway Magnet School integrates career programs with a full range of academic and extracurricular offerings.

• What is "shared time"?

Piscataway Magnet School offers shared time programs allowing students from throughout the county the opportunity to take traditional academic courses such as math and language arts at their home high school, and spend the remainder of the school day at Piscataway Magnet School taking programs in a specific career area.

• Who can attend Piscataway Magnet School?

Anyone permanently residing in Middlesex County. Every student has a legal right to apply for admission. If accepted, the local school district is required by law to pay tuition (if applicable) and provide transportation for students attending a county vocational-technical school district (see NJSA 18A:.54-20.1 and NJAC 6A:19-3.1).

• How do I apply to Piscataway Magnet School?

Our rigorous programs are designed for highly talented students and admission can be extremely competitive. Admission criteria take into consideration attendance, academics, discipline, program appropriateness, safety, and the students' abilities.

• Can my child go to college if they attend a magnet school? 

Positively. Statewide, more than 60 percent of graduates of county magnet schools advance to college of further study. Many counties have specialized career academies that attract high-motivated, high-achieving students.

• Why isn't there a program in a particular career field in my county, but is offered elsewhere in the state?

Because county magnet schools are governed by county boards of vocational education, they are able to cater to local workforce needs. Our district ensures that programs remain relevant by training students for jobs of today and tomorrow, with an emphasis on meeting local employment demands.