Vancouver students can participate in a variety of full-day magnet programs and half-day programs of choice that help them explore their interests and gain the knowledge and skills needed for their future careers. Current students may apply for any of the programs that serve the grade they will be in the following year. Enrollment will begin with the 2019-20 school year.

Enrollment in magnet programs and programs of choice is free, but students must apply for admission. Applications should be submitted online between Tuesday, Jan. 8, and the deadline for each program noted below. Admission is based on qualifications, not order in which the application is received. Applications will not be reviewed until after the deadline.

Students who live within district boundaries will be given priority over students from other districts. Transportation is provided only for in-district students.

Students who are not accepted to a program may be placed on a waiting list.

Parents and prospective students can learn more about the following programs by attending the district-wide magnet fair or an open house or through one of the ways outlined below.

About the programs

Located at Fort Vancouver High School for students in grades 10-12

The Careers in Education program offers a unique experience for students who are interested in working with young people, particularly in the fields of teaching, early childhood education, educational paraprofessionals, child care, counseling, child psychology, pediatrics and social and human service occupations. Students gain hands-on experience working with children and can earn up to five college credits from Lower Columbia College. They also can get help preparing for the Washington state paraeducator exam, which provides eligibility to be employed as a paraeducator directly after high school. Students who have completed the Careers in Education program receive interview preference upon becoming eligible to work as a paraeducator or finishing a teacher-education program.

  • Application period begins Tuesday, Jan. 8
  • Application deadline: Friday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m.
  • Open house: Thursday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St.

For more information about this program, visit the Careers in Education webpagetalk to a school counselor, email fort.cie@vansd.org or call 360-313-4000.

For students in grades 9-12

Vancouver Flex Academy blends online education on individual student laptops with student-created schedules, face-to-face instruction from teachers and small group work.

  • Application period begins Tuesday, Jan. 8
  • Application deadline: Friday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m.
  • Open house: Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 6:30 p.m. or Thursday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. at Vancouver Flex Academy, 2901 General Anderson Ave.

For more information about this program, visit the Flex webpage or school websitetalk to a school counselor, email vfa.flex@vansd.org or call 360-313-4350.

Located at Fort Vancouver High School for students in grades 10-12

The Welding/Fabrication Technology program is designed to provide students with the technical knowledge and skills to pursue machining, welding and related career fields.

  • Application period begins Tuesday, Jan. 8
  • Application deadline: Friday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m.
  • Open house: Thursday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St.

For more information about this program, visit the Welding webpage or Fort’s website, talk to a school counselor, email fort.welding@vansd.org or call 360-313-4000.

Located at Fort Vancouver High School for students in grades 10-12

Extensive hands-on opportunities in catering, restaurant management and food service offer Culinary Arts students real-world job experience while developing leadership and job skills.

  • Application period begins Tuesday, Jan. 8
  • Application deadline: Friday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m.
  • Open house: Thursday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St.

For more information about this program, visit the Culinary Arts webpage or school website, talk to a school counselor, email fort.culinary@vansd.org or call 360-313-4000.

Located at Columbia River High School for students in grades 9-12

International Baccalaureate is a worldwide honors program with an internationally designed curriculum stressing the importance of expertise in all academic areas and helping students develop critical thinking and research skills that will facilitate their success both in college and within the larger global society. Students must have completed Algebra I with an A or B grade by the end of eighth grade in order to be accepted. Once in the program, they must study a world language, in addition to meeting other academic requirements.

  • Application period begins Tuesday, Jan. 8
  • Application deadline: Monday, Jan. 28, at 4 p.m.
  • Open house: Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Columbia River High School, 800 NW 99th St.

For more information about this program, visit the IB page, talk to a school counselor, email river.ib@vansd.org or call 360-313-3900.

Located at Fort Vancouver High School for students in grades 9-12

The Medical Arts magnet introduces students to the expanding field of health care, with a curriculum rooted in health, wellness, science, math, technology and medicine.

  • Application period begins Tuesday, Jan. 8
  • Application deadline: Friday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m.
  • Open house: Thursday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St.

For more information about this program, visit the Medical Arts webpage or Fort websitetalk to a school counselor, email fort.medical@vansd.org or call 360-313-4000.

For students in grades 6-12

Vancouver iTech Preparatory features a project-based comprehensive program for students interested in science, technology, engineering and math. The middle school is located at the Jim Parsley Community Center, and the high school is located at the Clark College Building on the Washington State University Vancouver campus. Both middle and high schools will attend classes on the WSUV campus once construction is completed on the new school.

  • Application period begins Tuesday, Jan. 8
  • Application deadline: Friday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m.
  • Open houses: Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Jim Parsley Community Center, 4100 Plomondon St. Parent/student must attend one open house in order to submit an application.

For more information about this program, visit the iTech webpage or school website or email itech@vansd.org. Interested parents and students also may contact iTech Prep’s middle school counselor or program coordinator at 360-313-5200 or high school counselor or program coordinator at 360-992-6021.

For students in grades 9-12

The Center for International Studies will develop students’ global competence by asking them to investigate the world, recognize perspectives, communicate their ideas and take action to make a difference in the community and the world.

  • No application is required. All students who attend Fort Vancouver High School participate in the program.
  • Open house: Thursday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St.

For more information about this program, visit the CIS webpage or school website, talk to a school counselor, email Allison Darke or call 360-313-4000.

Located at Hudson’s Bay High School for students in grades 9-12

The Architecture, Construction and Environmental Services—ACES—magnet offers a unique, hands-on experience for students who are interested in horticulture, natural resources, ecology, architecture and related fields.

  • Application period begins Tuesday, Jan. 8
  • Application deadline: Friday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m.
  • Open house: Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 6:30 p.m. at Hudson’s Bay High School, 1601 E. McLoughlin Blvd.

For more information about this program, visit the ACES webpage, talk to a school counselor, email bay.aces@vansd.org or call 360-313-4400.

Located at Skyview High School for students in grades 9-12

The SMT program challenges students with rigorous science, math, and technology content to solve difficult problems using a hands-on approach.

  • Application period begins Tuesday, Jan. 8
  • Application deadline: Friday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m.
  • Open house: Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m. at Skyview High School, 1300 NW 139th St.

For more information about this program, visit the SMT webpage or school website, talk to a school counselor, email skyview.smt@vansd.org or call 360-313-4200.

For students in grades 6-12

Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, or VSAA, offers an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on the arts—visual arts, dance, literary arts, moving image arts, music and theatre—and rigorous academics.

  • Application period begins Tuesday, Jan. 8
  • Application deadline: Monday, Jan. 28, at 4 p.m.
  • Open house: Thursday, Jan. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at VSAA, 3101 Main St.

For more information about this program, visit the VSAA webpage or school website, talk to a school counselor, email vsaa.arts@vansd.org or call 360-313-4600.