Chicago Public Schools officials are accepting applications for the 2015-16 school year. View Full Caption Getty Images

JEFFERSON PARK — The school year may only be a month old, but parents who want to send their child to a selective enrollment or magnet school should start thinking about next year, Chicago Public Schools officials said Thursday.

Students can now apply for admission to elementary and high school magnet and selective enrollment schools as well as International Baccalaureate programs, military academies and career and technical schools during the 2015-16 school year.

Last year, the city's selective enrollment high schools received 16,826 applications for 3,200 freshman spots.

Online applications are welcome through 11:59 p.m. Dec. 12. Parents need a PIN number to compete the online application, which must be requested before applying.

Paper applications are available at cpsoae.org. Parents should direct questions to the Office of Access and Enrollment at 773-553-2060 or oae@cps.edu.

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