Families across Coral Gables can start applying Thursday, Oct. 1, for Miami-Dade County Public Schools' magnet and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs for the 2027-28 school year.

The district's more than 300 magnet programs span arts, science, technology and skilled trades, according to M-DCPS. Parents can select up to five schools per application, with one program per school.

Four Coral Gables campuses appear in the 2027-28 magnet catalog. George Washington Carver Elementary on Grand Avenue offers International Education in Spanish and International Studies in Italian for grades K-5. Henry S. West Laboratory School on Carillo Street has a Global Focus program for grades K-8. George W. Carver Middle School on Lincoln Drive offers International Education and International Studies in French, German, Spanish and Italian. Ponce de Leon Middle School on Augusto Street has International Baccalaureate programs in French, Italian and Spanish.

Among new programs announced for this cycle are a Classical Academy Magnet at Village Green Elementary, Culinary Arts at Riviera Middle School and Information Technology at Lamar Louise Curry Middle School.

All magnet applications for grades K-12 go through the M-DCPS Parent Portal at dadeschools.net. Parents can log in with an Apple ID or Google ID and select the Admissions Application tile.

VPK applications also open Thursday. The district's five specialized magnet VPK programs and roughly 16 additional VPK lottery sites accept applications through the Parent Portal. For traditional public school VPK programs, families should visit their neighborhood school in person. The district said seats are limited and generally filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Superintendent Rafael Villalobos, selected by the school board in July, identified enrollment as his top challenge. "I think the greatest issue is lower enrollment, and making sure that parents understand that we are your best choice …" Villalobos told Local 10 on July 29, when the board appointed him.

The district's application process guide, which has not yet been updated for the 2027-28 cycle, lists a Jan. 15 deadline. Families needing help can call the Office of School Choice and Parental Options at 305-341-0999.