A magnet is a public school that is open to all students, regardless of where they live. They have different themes, including performing arts, science and math. Some share a campus with a larger school. Others are free-standing.

The program at the Los Angeles Unified School District, which now oversees roughly 200 magnets, was created in the 1970s as part of a court-ordered desegregation plan.

Parents and students living in the district can apply for seats at a magnet of their choice between Oct 4. and Nov. 10. In most cases, a lottery decides who is accepted. Priority is given to students from neighborhoods with large numbers of minorities, those living near overcrowded schools, as well as the losers of previous drawings.