This article is about proposed changes to the CMS magnet program updated in March 2026. CMS is collecting community feedback and may revise the plan.
Once approved, these changes would be implemented in the 2027-28 school year. If your child is currently in the magnet program or you’re considering it, then this may affect you.
CMS is looking to improve / streamline the magnet program. They feel the emphasis is based on school popularity and not program popularity.
As a result, certain schools have huge waitlists while others are under enrolled. CMS wants to change this.
Some magnet programs will go away. Most of this is at the high school level where they are hoping to offer programming options at all high schools instead of specific ones.
For the rest of this article I’ll focus on impacts in elementary schools.
At the elementary level, the big change is that they are proposing to get rid of the Leader in Me Program (think Myers Park Traditional) and merge the IB and LI/TD programs. As a result some schools will be changing their magnet theme or dropping out of the magnet program altogether.
Some of the biggest impact will be seen with feeder schools. This is where I’m seeing families have the biggest reactions. Some of these new patterns will send kids on long bus rides across town.
For example, quite a few students in IB schools living near South Park and Uptown will be rezoned to Ballantyne Ridge High School. While other families are thrilled to see a pathway that makes life easier.
You can look up your magnet school and its current ​feeder schools here​ (click your magnet theme, then scroll down to where it says elementary / middle / high).
You can see the proposed new schools in ​this video.​! Skip around- it’s organized by the magnet theme. Keep in mind Leader in Me and LI/TD schools will be recategorized as IB. D
These are proposed changes for a reason. The district is seeking feedback right now. I highly recommend you attend a​ community input session​ to learn and share your opinion. I attended one yesterday and it was super helpful.
First of all- you can’t complain if you don’t share feedback. CMS really does listen to feedback and is being very intentional about collecting it.
Overall I think the intentions are right. CMS has a popularity problem. The magnets were supposed to provide opportunity for students, but in many ways have become a contest. It shouldn’t feel like some public schools are a “brand name” while others are generic.
I’ve talked to countless principals who say neighbors have completely abandoned the local public school in favor of magnet schools. One principal I talked to recently said she may lose several teachers this year because their student population is dropping. Yet when she drives by on the weekend, the playground is filled with neighborhood kids she’s never met.
If the focus is going to shift to PROGRAM popularity over school popularity, we need to see the funding and dedication to make all these schools shine.
There’s a lot of discrepancy in the quality of these programs. Some schools are dedicated to their themes, while others barely practice them. This stems from funding. The popular magnet schools often have strong PTAs paying for all the extras. I’d like to see support for schools to provide streamlined experiences for students.
Finally, a word about the Leader in Me program. I adore this program and I really hope it can be preserved. It’s the smallest magnet with only 2 elementary schools and 1 middle school participating. CMS tried to get rid of this program a few years ago. In their mission to be equitable, CMS wants magnet programming that serves elementary through high school.
It takes your feedback to show how loved the program is! The Leader in Me actually a proud product of North Carolina and CMS Leader in Me schools are recognized for being some of the best in the nation! It would be a shame to see them scrapped.
Ok, that’s enough for now. If you want more specific details, ​watch the proposal​! or read this ​great summary​ from The Charlotte Observer.
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I'm curious what you think about all this!
