Magnet FAQs

Groton students entering grades K-5 may enter thelottery for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Families can check their attendance zoned school by visiting our interactive online map.

The Lottery Application for the 2025-2026 School Year was open until April 2, 2025, and is now closed.

No.  There is one district application. 

Returning students do not need to apply each year. Students who accept a seat in the lottery remain at that magnet school through the highest grade unless the seat is forfeited. 

A family forfeits a lottery seat if the student(s) moves outside of the boundaries of Groton, transfers to a different school, or declines/fails to respond to a lottery seat offer.

 All schools follow the district curriculum for literacy, math, science and other core subjects.

Each school pursues the same grade level expectations and student achievement standards.

Students take the same state assessments.

All students have specials including art, music, health, and PE in their schedule

All schools have special education teachers and related service providers. 

Each school offers a unique magnet theme integrated into the curriculum

Themes provide students the opportunity to explore an interest that will make teaching and learning most enjoyable and meaningful to them.

Partners from the community, region and ,beyond provide coaching to staff, and unique curricular opportunities and partnerships.\

Students' exposure to the theme is enriched and expanded through in-class experiences, field trips, before and afterafter-schoolrams, and more.

Mystic River Magnet School and Thames River Magnet School are home to Groton Public Schools Preschool and Pre-K programs. Acceptance into the Early Childhood Programs is through a screening process that is separate from the lottery.

Students currently attending Preschool or Pre-K return to their attendance-zoned school for Kindergarten. If they would like to remain at their current school, they must enter the lottery.

Siblings of current magnet students need to enter the lottery and will receive a sibling priority, meaning they will be granted a seat, as long as one is available in their grade.

If two or more siblings apply in the same year to the same school and one is offered a seat in the lottery, the sibling will be granted the next available seat in their respective grade, if one is available. Siblings may apply to different schools but will not receive any preference.

No. Families can apply anytime during the application period.  

Yes. In-district student bus transportation is provided to students who accept a seat in the lottery.