Apply Now for the 2024-2025 School Year

Looking for an innovative and engaging learning environment for your middle or high school student? Apply to Metro Schools! Applications for the 2024-25 school year will be accepted December 2023-February 2024 for our initial March lottery.

To be included in the first round of the lottery, your application should be submitted by February 24. Applications received after that date will be included in subsequent lottery rounds throughout spring and summer until all seats are filled.

Ready to apply? Use this link for the 2024-2025 Application

How It Works

Each year, our initial lottery drawing takes place at the beginning of March with results emailed to parents by the second week of March. Additional drawings take place in the spring/summer until all available seats are filled. Families will be notified of seat offers by email and will be required to attend an admissions meeting before officially accepting the enrollment offer.

When seats become available during fall term, a lottery may be conducted for second semester admission (January start). The decision to hold a January lottery will be based on the number of openings and is not guaranteed every year. Students who remain on the wait list after the start of the school year will be included in the January lottery.

Applications for 2025 and Beyond

If you have a student who will be eligible to apply to Metro beyond the 2024-25 school year, we would love to hear from you! Please complete the Metro Interest Form to connect with us about future enrollment opportunities.

• Ensure you are completing the application for the correct school year.

• Applications do not roll over from year to year for students on the wait list. To be considered for a subsequent year, you must apply again using the new application.

• The application should be completed in one sitting.

• All information should be completed by a parent/guardian to ensure accuracy. Incorrect/incomplete information can affect the admissions/enrollment process. 

• Apply using the student's full legal name (as it appears on their birth certificate). Please double check spelling, as the information transfers directly to our system upon enrollment.

• Provide accurate/current parent email addresses to receive communications about admissions and enrollment. The first parent listed should be the primary contact.

• Initial lottery results are typically available by the second week of March and are sent to families using the parent email provided on the application.

Families of new applicants are encouraged to join us for an Information Session to learn more about Metro's educational programming and student expectations. Participation is encouraged to ensure Metro is a good fit for your child. Each presentation is about an hour in length, including time for Q&A and a tour of the facility. Parents and students are welcome. Meetings are in person at Metro (1929 Kenny Road) unless otherwise noted.

Current Dates:

• January 20, 2024: Middle School at 10:00 AM, High School at 11:00 AM

• February 20, 2024: Combined Middle & High School at 6:00 PM

School Tours:

Family tours are available during the school day. If you plan to apply to Metro and would like an in-person visit, email Mari Burgett (burgett.2@themetroschool.org) to schedule.

Who can apply? 

Metro is open to students from all across Central Ohio. There is no restriction on the county or district of residence as long as students can physically attend classes at our Kenny Road location. Recruitment will focus on filling openings in grade 6 for the Middle School and grade 9 for the High School for the following school year.

Metro does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, gender identity or expression, ancestry, familial status, military status or disability in its educational programs, activities, and employment policies. All district policies, programs, practices, procedures, and decisions are reviewed to assure the rights of all students and employees to equal educational and employment opportunities as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and by law.

How do I apply?

To be considered for admission, parents must complete the online application by the set deadline in mid-February. All applications received by the deadline will be included in a lottery for available seats, which will be conducted by the beginning of March.

Do grades affect admission?

No. Our admissions process is non-selective, meaning that a student’s previous academic performance is not used as the basis for decisions in the lottery process. As part of the admissions meeting, we ask that families consider our program expectations before accepting the admissions offer. Our program is rigorous and requires that students be actively engaged in a learning process that includes remediation of material that is not initially mastered. 

Are applicants considered on a first come, first served basis?

No. All applications received by deadline are given the same consideration in our lottery process. The lottery is a random pull from the available pool of applicants.

Do siblings receive any special consideration for enrollment?

Siblings of currently enrolled students will receive preference for open seats but must have an application on file by the initial deadline. The sibling policy is applied to brothers/sisters living in the same household. It does not apply to cousins or other relatives. Admission is not guaranteed at all grade levels, as it only applies to seats being filled through the lottery.

What if I apply after deadline?

Applications received after deadline will be placed on a waiting list until the initial lottery pulls have been completed. Those applications will be added to the lottery after the first admissions meetings are concluded in the spring.

When is the lottery conducted?

The initial lottery will be conducted at the beginning of March, with results  emailed to families by the second week of March.

How will I be notified of lottery results?

All notifications go out by email, so please ensure to provide an accurate, current parent email address in your application. Students receiving an admissions offer will be notified by email and will be required to attend an admissions meeting. All other applicants will receive notice by email that they are on the waiting list; they will be included in subsequent lottery rounds for any seats that remain open after the first round.

What is the purpose of the admissions meeting?

The meeting is designed to help families determine whether Metro is an appropriate fit for their student, taking into consideration their learning style, educational needs and future goals. Our purpose is to help families make an informed enrollment decision based on a clear picture of our educational program and expectations. Participation in these meetings is mandatory to continue the enrollment process; both the student and at least one parent/guardian must attend.

What happens after the admissions meeting?

Families are given up to one week from the date of the meeting to accept or decline their seat by responding to an online accept/decline form. A response must be received by the set date to secure admission. If a response is not received, it will be interpreted as a decline of the seat, which will then be offered to another student on the waiting list. This process continues until all seats are filled.

Is anything else needed to complete the admissions process?

Yes. Once families confirm their intent to enroll at Metro, they will receive instructions to complete an online registration process. All parts of the process must be completed to move forward with enrollment. If your child receives special services, a copy of the 504 or IEP will be requested for review as part of the enrollment process.

In addition, the annual student fee should be paid by the start of fall term classes. Visit our Student Fee Information page for more details.

Is Metro part of the Columbus City Schools’ lottery?

No. Metro conducts its own lottery. Students in the Columbus district may participate in both the CCS and Metro lotteries.

Does Metro provide busing? 

No. Transportation falls back to the district of residence. The following districts currently provide a bus to Metro: Columbus, Hilliard, Groveport-Madison and South-Western. Other districts may offer parents reimbursement for travel ("payment in lieu of transportation"); check with your district transportation office for availability, deadlines and requirements. 

Visit our District Bus Transportation Info page for more details.

Where busing is not available, we encourage families to organize carpools.

Does Metro require uniforms?

No, but there is a "Business Casual" dress code for staff and students. Please review Metro's Dress Code for expectations.

Want to learn more about the advantages of Early College programming ? Take a few minutes to watch the video below to see how early college schools like Metro are making a difference in Central Ohio.