Magnet & selective schools (JCPS + Hudson County)
Quick profiles for families considering application-based public school options in and around Jersey City.
Academy I Middle School is a citywide magnet public middle school operated by Jersey City Public Schools. The school is designed to provide an academically rigorous and enriched middle school experience for students seeking a faster-paced curriculum and additional academic challenges. (jcboe.org)
Best fit for
Students who are academically motivated and ready for a faster-paced middle school environment, and families seeking a citywide public magnet option focused on academic enrichment and preparation for selective high schools.
School emphasis
- Citywide magnet middle school option open to Jersey City residents regardless of neighborhood zoning. (jcboe.org)
- Emphasis on academic enrichment and preparation for selective high school programs. (jcboe.org)
- Often considered alongside other selective pathways such as MS4 and Infinity Institute.
Admissions process & key notes
- Magnet (AEP) program: Students must apply through the district’s citywide Accelerated Enrichment Program (AEP) application during 5th grade.
- Seats are limited, and admission is not guaranteed; families are encouraged to keep a zoned middle school as a backup.
Logistics & support
Transportation
- Transportation may be available per district policy
- Details depend on eligibility and annual JCPS transportation rules
Open house
- Open house information is published annually by JCPS during the application season
Frank R. Conwell Middle School, commonly referred to as MS4, is a public middle school operated by Jersey City Public Schools that hosts a citywide magnet program in addition to serving students through standard middle school pathways. (jcboe.org)
Best fit for
Students seeking an accelerated, citywide magnet middle school option through the AEP program, and families who want a selective academic pathway while keeping standard middle school placement as a backup.
School emphasis
- Hosts the district’s Accelerated Enrichment Program (AEP) magnet pathway for middle school, which is citywide and application-based. (jcboe.org)
- The AEP magnet track operates separately from standard middle school placement and offers a more accelerated academic experience.
- Often considered alongside Academy I by families applying to Jersey City’s selective middle school options.
Admissions process & key notes
- Magnet (AEP) program: Students must apply through the district’s citywide Accelerated Enrichment Program (AEP) application during 5th grade. Admission to the magnet program is competitive and seats are limited. (jcboe.org)
- Standard middle school placement: Students not admitted through the AEP magnet process attend middle school based on zoning or other JCPS placement rules.
- Families applying to the magnet program are strongly encouraged to keep a zoned or non-magnet backup option.
Logistics & support
Before / after care
- After-school programming may be offered depending on the academic year
- Availability and eligibility should be confirmed directly with the school
Transportation
- Transportation may be available for magnet students per district policy
- Eligibility depends on annual JCPS transportation guidelines
Open house
- Magnet program information sessions and open houses are announced annually by JCPS during the application season
Infinity Institute is a selective, citywide public magnet school operated by Jersey City Public Schools, serving students in grades 6–12. The school offers a rigorous academic program designed to prepare students for college-level work and long-term academic success. (jcboe.org)
Best fit for
Academically motivated students seeking a rigorous, selective public school with a 6–12 pathway, and families who want continuity through middle and high school in a citywide magnet environment.
School emphasis
- One of Jersey City’s few 6–12 continuum magnet schools, allowing admitted students to remain through high school. (jcboe.org)
- Emphasis on academic rigor, independent thinking, and college preparation.
- Often considered alongside McNair Academic High School by families seeking selective public high school options.
Admissions process & key notes
- Middle school entry (grade 6): Students must apply through the district’s citywide selective admissions process, typically during 5th grade. (jcboe.org)
- High school entry (grade 9): Limited seats may be available; admission is competitive and handled through the district’s selective high school application process.
- Admission is not guaranteed. Families are encouraged to keep a comprehensive or zoned high school as a backup option.
Logistics & support
Transportation
- Transportation may be available per JCPS policy
- Eligibility depends on annual district transportation guidelines
Open house
- Open house and information session dates are announced annually by JCPS during the application season
Explore 2000 Middle School is a county-run, selective public magnet middle school operated by the Hudson County Schools of Technology. The school provides a project-based, exploratory learning environment that introduces students to career and technical pathways while building strong academic foundations. (hcstonline.org)
Best fit for
Students who thrive in hands-on, project-based learning environments and families interested in an early introduction to career and technical pathways through a county-run public magnet middle school.
School emphasis
- Emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning that integrates academics with early career exploration. (hcstonline.org)
- Operated by Hudson County Schools of Technology and open to students across Hudson County, including Jersey City residents.
- Designed as a middle school entry point into the county’s career and technical education (CTE) system, often feeding into County Prep or High Tech High School.
Admissions process & key notes
- Explore 2000 uses a countywide, application-based admissions process administered by the Hudson County Schools of Technology. Students typically apply during 5th grade. (hcstonline.org)
- Admissions criteria may include an application and additional requirements published by the county for the given school year.
- Admission is competitive; families should also plan for a district middle school as a backup option.
Logistics & support
Transportation
- Transportation is typically provided through Hudson County Schools of Technology
- Routes and eligibility depend on annual county transportation policies
Open house
- Open house and information session dates are announced annually by Hudson County Schools of Technology
Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School is a highly selective, citywide public magnet high school operated by Jersey City Public Schools. McNair is widely regarded for its rigorous, college-preparatory academic program and consistently strong academic outcomes. (jcboe.org)
Best fit for
Academically driven students seeking a highly selective, college-prep public magnet high school with a small, rigorous environment.
School emphasis
- One of the most academically selective public high schools in New Jersey, open to Jersey City residents citywide. (jcboe.org)
- Emphasis on advanced coursework, critical thinking, and college readiness within a small, academically focused school environment.
- Often considered alongside other selective options such as Infinity Institute and county-run magnet high schools.
Admissions process & key notes
- Admission to McNair is competitive and application-based. Students must apply through the district’s selective high school admissions process, typically during 8th grade. (jcboe.org)
- The admissions process may include multiple components such as academic records, assessments, and additional criteria published by the district for the given year.
- Seats are limited and not all qualified applicants are admitted; families are encouraged to rank backup comprehensive or county high school options.
Logistics & support
Transportation
- Transportation may be available per JCPS transportation policy
- Eligibility depends on annual district guidelines
Open house
- Information sessions and open house dates are announced annually by JCPS during the high school application season
Innovation High School is a citywide public magnet high school operated by Jersey City Public Schools. The school emphasizes a project-based, student-centered learning model designed to foster curiosity, problem-solving, and real-world application of academic skills. (jcboe.org)
Best fit for
Students who prefer hands-on, project-based learning in a smaller, supportive high school environment, and families looking for a selective public option that emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem solving.
School emphasis
- Focus on project-based learning and interdisciplinary instruction rather than traditional lecture-only models. (jcboe.org)
- Smaller school environment intended to provide personalized academic support and stronger student–teacher relationships.
- Often considered by families seeking a selective public high school option that prioritizes creativity, collaboration, and applied learning.
Admissions process & key notes
- Innovation High School uses a citywide, application-based admissions process for entry into grade 9. Students apply through the district’s selective high school application process, typically during 8th grade. (jcboe.org)
- Admission is competitive and based on criteria published annually by Jersey City Public Schools.
- Seats are limited; families are encouraged to keep a comprehensive high school or county magnet school as a backup option.
Logistics & support
Transportation
- Transportation may be available per JCPS transportation policy
- Eligibility depends on annual district transportation guidelines
Open house
- Open house and information session dates are announced annually by JCPS during the high school application season
County Prep High School is a county-run, selective public magnet high school operated by the Hudson County Schools of Technology. The school combines a college-preparatory academic program with structured career and technical education (CTE) pathways, allowing students to explore career interests while completing graduation requirements. (hcstonline.org)
Best fit for
Students who want to combine solid academics with hands-on career exploration through structured CTE pathways, and families seeking a county-run public magnet high school option based in Jersey City.
School emphasis
- Offers career-focused academies (CTE majors) integrated with core academic coursework. (hcstonline.org)
- Operated by the county rather than the local district, making it open to students across Hudson County, including Jersey City residents.
- Emphasizes practical skills, career exploration, and postsecondary readiness alongside traditional academics.
Admissions process & key notes
- County Prep uses a countywide, application-based admissions process administered by the Hudson County Schools of Technology. Students typically apply during 8th grade. (hcstonline.org)
- Admissions may include an application, academic review, and additional criteria published by the county for the given school year.
- Admission is competitive; students should also apply to a district high school as a backup option.
Logistics & support
Transportation
- Transportation is typically provided through Hudson County Schools of Technology
- Availability and routing depend on annual county transportation policies
Open house
- Open houses and information sessions are announced annually by Hudson County Schools of Technology
High Tech High School is a county-run, selective public magnet high school operated by the Hudson County Schools of Technology. The school is known for its rigorous academics combined with specialized career and technical education (CTE) pathways, with a strong emphasis on STEM and applied learning. (hcstonline.org)
Best fit for
Students with strong academic motivation who are interested in STEM- or technology-oriented pathways, and families seeking a highly rigorous county-run public magnet high school option.
School emphasis
- Offers specialized CTE majors integrated with advanced academic coursework, often with a STEM or technology focus. (hcstonline.org)
- Operated by Hudson County Schools of Technology and open to students across Hudson County, including Jersey City residents.
- Known for a highly structured and academically demanding environment relative to many comprehensive public high schools.
Admissions process & key notes
- High Tech High School uses a countywide, application-based admissions process administered by the Hudson County Schools of Technology. Students typically apply during 8th grade. (hcstonline.org)
- Admissions criteria may include an application, academic review, and additional requirements published by the county for the given school year.
- Admission is competitive; families are encouraged to apply to a district high school as a backup option.
Logistics & support
Transportation
- Transportation is typically provided through Hudson County Schools of Technology
- Routes and eligibility depend on annual county transportation policies
Open house
- Open house and information session dates are announced annually by Hudson County Schools of Technology