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Please note: Students' names are not displayed or called out during the lottery. Please login to your Schoolmint account to view results. Results will be available April 28, 2023.

Magnet School Application Window Opens January 11, 2023 Vista Unified is excited to offer magnet school experiences to students.  Magnet schools are schools of choice that operate within existing public school systems and offer specialized courses or curricula. We are fully committed to ensuring that all families have an equitable opportunity to participate in the application process. 

In Vista Unified, we have five magnet schools serving elementary, middle, and high school students:

Casita Center for Science, Technology & Math (Grades K - 5)

Vista Academy of Visual & Performing Arts (Grades K - 5)

Vista Magnet Middle School (Grades 6 - 8)

 Vista Innovation & Design Academy (VIDA) (Grades 6 - 8)

Mission Vista High School (Grades 9 - 12)
For those interested in exploring these options, please review the Magnet School Frequently Asked Questions. This document includes detailed descriptions for each school to determine if the school of interest is a good fit for your student. 

Magnet School Application & Information

Students residing in the VUSD boundaries and students living outside of the VUSD boundaries are eligible to submit an application. The District’s magnet schools accept students without regard to disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or English Language Learner status. 

Application: https://vistausd.schoolmint.com/

Policies and Procedures 2023-24

FAQ 2023-24

Application Support

For families needing assistance completing the application process, the following support clinics are available at the Vista Innovation Center, 836 Olive Avenue, Vista



Families may also request assistance completing the magnet application at any VUSD school.

Magnet School Tours: 

Elementary School Families interested in Casita Center or Vista Academy may visit the school’s websites for tour information.   

• Casita Center for Science, Technology & Math (Grades K - 5)

• Vista Academy of Visual & Performing Arts (Grades K - 5)

Middle School Roadshows and Tours:

Come and listen to a joint presentation from VMMS and VIDA or schedule a tour by visiting the school’s website.  

• Vista Magnet Middle School (Grades 6 - 8)

• Vista Innovation & Design Academy (VIDA) (Grades 6 - 8)

Mission Vista High School Timberwolf School Tours

Elementary Schools
Window to apply: Jan 11 - Apr 7, 2023
(closes at 4:30 PM PST)

All applications received during the application window result in the same chance of admissions, there is no time-order preference.

The lottery for Casita Center for Science, Technology & Math and Vista Academy of Visual & Performing Arts will take place on April 21, 2023

Click here to apply:
https://vistausd.schoolmint.com/

Middle and High School

Magnet School Lottery results are now available for VIDA, VMMS, and MVHS. Login to the SchoolMint portal to view: https://vistausd.schoolmint.com/

Window to apply: Jan 11 - Feb 17, 2023
(closed at 4:30 PM PST)

All applications received during the application window result in the same chance of admissions, there is no time-order preference.

The lottery for Vista Magnet Middle School, Vista Innovation & Design Academy, and Mission Vista High School will take place on March 3, 2023

 Lottery Notice / Aviso de Lotería

Magnet School Lottery

for the 2023-2024 School Year

Vista Unified will conduct an admissions lottery at the district office on the days and times noted below.  Each lottery will be conducted using School Mint, an electronic method selected by the District.  Employees from the District Student Support Services and IT departments will conduct and/or oversee the lotteries to ensure compliance with this magnet school admission procedure.

Because space is limited at each magnet school, Vista Unified strives to provide a clear, fair, and balanced admissions process using a lottery system.  This year, two lotteries will take place as noted below: 

• March 3, 2023 for Vista Magnet Middle School, Vista Innovation & Design Academy, and Mission Vista High School
  
• April 21, 2023 for Casita Center for Science, Technology, and Math and Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts

The lottery will be held at the District Office Board Room and will also be live streamed.  A link for viewing will be provided prior to the March 3rd and April 21 lottery.  

Please review the Magnet School Admissions Policies and Procedures 2023-2024 for additional information on the lottery process. 

Magnet Schools Overview
The Vista Unified magnet school programs were designed to both inspire and challenge students to engage in learning environments that are focused on unique pathways aligned to the growing demands of an increasingly complex global society and workforce economy. Please use this website to explore the options and follow our collective efforts to make the magnet school experience world-class.

Magnet School Purpose
Magnet schools are visionary, innovative and are free and open to anyone. Due to high demand, most schools determine student acceptance by a lottery system. The idea of magnet schools began in 1971, and in 1975, the term “magnet” had caught on so well in four short years the federal government was using the term. Today, magnet schools have emerged as educational beacons in communities, incorporating themed curricula, hands-on, experiential learning, and a diverse tapestry of students and academic requirements that often exceed those of the school district or state. Source:  Magnet Schools of America

Magnet School Historical Overview
The creation of magnet schools in Vista Unified was first conceptualized about 30 years ago, with the intent of complying with California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Chapter 7 to "alleviate the racial and ethnic segregation." To this end, the Vista School Board of Trustees directed the creation of an Elementary Attendance Area Committee on February 14, 1991. This committee was responsible for the creation of the first two magnet schools in the district (VAPA and Casita) through the design of the Voluntary Integration Plan. These two magnet schools were officially approved by the Board on August 15, 1991 and held their first classes in 1992-93. In the years since its inception, the magnet school program has grown slowly, converting Lincoln Middle into Vista Magnet Middle School in 2007, Mission Vista High School in 2009, and Washington Middle School into Vista Innovation & Design Academy in August 2014. Today, more than 4,000 students attend magnet schools in Vista Unified. Click HERE to view a detailed archive of the magnet school development process.