Middlesex County Magnet Schools are full-time public career and technical high schools for students across Middlesex County, New Jersey. Students complete the academic courses required for a New Jersey diploma while spending part of each school day in a chosen career field. Options range from engineering and allied health to robotics, the arts, skilled trades, business and technology.
The district has six magnet high schools. All six review student grades and use an admissions interview. Edison Academy and Woodbridge Academy also require a competitive entrance assessment. East Brunswick, Innovation, Perth Amboy and Piscataway Magnet Schools do not use the academy entrance exam, although certain programs may require an audition or specialized interview.
The first decision is not simply “magnet school or home high school.” It is which career program, campus and workload fit the student. This page brings those choices and the application steps into one place.
Admissions requirements, programs and dates can change. Verify the current cycle with Middlesex County Magnet Schools before applying.
Quick navigation
- Who can apply?
- Compare the six schools
- Schools requiring an entrance test
- Application process
- Admissions timeline
- Grade 8 parent checklist
- Magnet-school test preparation
Who can apply?
Students from municipalities throughout Middlesex County may apply. Middlesex County residents who are admitted can attend without paying tuition. Transportation is generally arranged through the student's home school district, but families should confirm the transportation process with their district.
Students apply during Grade 8 to begin the magnet-school program in Grade 9. Grade 9 is the admission point because the career and technical curriculum is structured as a four-year sequence.
Compare the six Middlesex County Magnet Schools
| School | Primary focus | Entrance test? |
|---|---|---|
| Edison Academy Magnet School | Engineering, mathematics, science and technology | Yes |
| Woodbridge Academy Magnet School | Allied health and biomedical sciences | Yes |
| East Brunswick Magnet School | Broad selection of career majors, skilled trades, technology and School of the Arts | No academy entrance test |
| Innovation Magnet School | Sustainability, energy, cybersecurity, robotics, drones, logistics and biotechnology | No academy entrance test |
| Perth Amboy Magnet School | Career and technical programs combined with college-preparatory academics | No academy entrance test |
| Piscataway Magnet School | Broad career and technical pathways with college-preparatory academics | No academy entrance test |
Parent takeaway
Start with the career pathway, not the ranking or school name. Specialized coursework occupies a meaningful part of all four years, so the student should understand what the program actually involves.
A PALS observation: When families begin with “Which school is best?” the conversation often becomes clearer after we change the question to “Which program would this student still want to study every week in Grade 11?”
Which schools require an entrance test?
Only the two career academies use the competitive academy entrance assessment:
Edison Academy Magnet School
Edison Academy is designed for students with a strong interest in engineering, mathematics, science and technology. Students explore the school's engineering pathways before continuing in a specialized engineering sequence. Admission is highly competitive because the entering class is small and applicants come from across Middlesex County.
Learn more: Edison Academy Magnet School Parent Guide Admissions guide: Edison Academy Admissions and Entrance Exam Guide Official website: Edison Academy Magnet School
Woodbridge Academy Magnet School
Woodbridge Academy is intended for students who are genuinely interested in allied health and biomedical science. Its small-school model combines advanced academics with specialized health-science coursework and hands-on learning.
Learn more: Woodbridge Academy Magnet School Parent Guide Admissions guide: Woodbridge Academy Admissions and Entrance Exam Guide Official website: Woodbridge Academy Magnet School
PALS Piscataway is independent of Middlesex County Magnet Schools. Preparation can improve a student's familiarity, skills and confidence, but admission cannot be guaranteed.
The four schools without the academy entrance test
These schools do not use the Edison/Woodbridge entrance assessment. Each school offers career and technical pathways combined with required high school academics.
East Brunswick Magnet School
East Brunswick Magnet School combines academic coursework at AP, Honors, College Preparatory and General levels with extensive career and technical education. The school reports 22 career majors and offers pathways in areas such as artificial intelligence and robotics, architecture, automotive technology, business, construction, culinary arts, health services, manufacturing and the arts.
Students receive substantial career and technical training during high school. Some courses may qualify for dual-enrollment credit through Middlesex College.
Official information: East Brunswick Magnet School
Innovation Magnet School
Innovation Magnet School opened in fall 2026 on the Middlesex College campus. It begins with five forward-looking career programs:
- Sustainable Construction and Environmental Technology
- Sustainable Energy Technology
- Information, Communications and Cybersecurity Technology
- Logistics, Robotics and Drone Technology
- Biotechnology and Plant Science
The school began with a small incoming class, with limited seats in each career program. Because this is a new school and program details may continue to develop, parents should verify the current curriculum and program availability directly with the district.
Official information: Innovation Magnet School
Perth Amboy Magnet School
Perth Amboy Magnet School combines high school academics with career and technical education. The school currently reports eight career programs and serves Grades 9–12.
Official information: Perth Amboy Magnet School
Piscataway Magnet School
Piscataway Magnet School offers small learning communities that combine academic requirements with hands-on career education. The school currently reports 16 career programs and serves Grades 9–12.
This school can be a good fit for students who want to explore a career pathway while completing college-preparatory high school coursework. Families should compare the current career-major list carefully because program availability and campus assignments can change.
Official information: Piscataway Magnet School
Admissions Requirements at a Glance
Admission is designed for current Grade 8 students applying to begin Grade 9. Grades matter at all six schools, and all six use an interview as part of the admissions process. The main difference is that Edison Academy and Woodbridge Academy also require an entrance assessment.
| School group | Academic records | Assessment | Interview or additional requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edison Academy | Seventh-grade grades and the first marking period of eighth grade when available | Mathematics, English/reading and essay writing | Interview for qualifying applicants |
| Woodbridge Academy | Seventh-grade grades and the first marking period of eighth grade when available | Science, mathematics, English/reading and essay writing | Interview for qualifying applicants |
| East Brunswick, Innovation, Perth Amboy and Piscataway | Seventh-grade grades and available eighth-grade grades are reviewed | No Edison/Woodbridge academy entrance assessment | Admissions interview required; certain programs may also require an audition or specialized interview |
Attendance, discipline records, application completeness, career-program interest and available seats may also be considered. East Brunswick School of the Arts applicants must audition, and its Artificial Intelligence and Robotics program requires a specialized interview.
How the application process works
1. Explore programs before selecting a campus
Review the career majors, curriculum and campus location. Attend open houses whenever possible and ask how much of the weekly schedule is devoted to the career major.
2. Create the online application account
Begin with the official Middlesex County Magnet Schools admissions page. Follow the current application link from that page because the application portal or annual form may change.
3. Submit all required records
Depending on the school, requested materials may include:
- Final Grade 7 report card
- Grade 8 first-marking-period report card
- Attendance record
- Discipline record
- State assessment scores or transcripts when applicable
- Program-specific audition or interview registration
An application may not be considered complete until all supporting documents are received.
4. Complete the school-specific admissions steps
- Edison Academy: assessment followed by an interview for qualifying applicants
- Woodbridge Academy: assessment followed by an interview for qualifying applicants
- East Brunswick, Innovation, Perth Amboy and Piscataway: academic-record review followed by an admissions interview
- Certain East Brunswick programs: audition or specialized interview in addition to the regular admissions process
5. Monitor email carefully
Admissions teams use email for missing-record requests, assessments, interviews, auditions and decisions. Check the inbox and spam folder regularly; a missed message can create an avoidable problem.
6. Respond by the stated deadline
Academy deadlines are firm. Some non-test programs may continue accepting applications when seats remain, but applying early is safer because space within individual career majors is limited.
2026–2027 Admissions Timeline at a Glance
This timeline gives parents one place to understand when they should act. Dates can change annually, so families should confirm school-specific requirements through the official admissions pages.
| Time | Edison Academy | Woodbridge Academy | East Brunswick, Innovation, Perth Amboy and Piscataway |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2026 | Online application opens | Online application generally opens | Online applications open |
| October–November 2026 | Attend open house; complete application and collect Grade 7 and Grade 8 records | Attend open house; complete application and collect Grade 7 and Grade 8 records | Attend open houses, explore career majors and submit applications early |
| November 25, 2026 | Confirmed application deadline; late applications are not accepted | Academy applications generally close around the day before Thanksgiving; verify the posted Woodbridge deadline | Preferred early application period; applications may continue on a rolling basis when seats remain |
| December 12, 2026 | Confirmed Edison Academy admissions assessment | — | Interviews, auditions or program-specific reviews may begin where required |
| January 2027 | — | Woodbridge Academy assessment is usually held on the second Saturday in January; the exact 2027 date must be confirmed by the school | Rolling application review and interviews continue where seats remain |
| February 2027 | Qualified applicants are invited to interview | Qualified applicants are typically invited to interview | Interviews and program-specific admissions steps continue |
| Through March 30, 2027 | Closed to late applicants | Closed to late applicants | Non-test campuses may continue rolling admissions through March 30 when seats remain; popular career majors can fill earlier |
| By April 2027 | Admission decisions are expected | Check the official Woodbridge notification schedule | Decisions and placement communication vary by campus and program |
Important difference between the deadlines
The Edison and Woodbridge academy deadlines should be treated as firm. The four non-test campuses—East Brunswick, Innovation, Perth Amboy and Piscataway—use rolling admissions after the initial application period when seats remain. Rolling admission does not mean families should wait until March. Career majors have limited capacity, so applying early provides the best opportunity to be considered for the student's preferred program.
Grade 8 Parent Checklist
Before applications open
- Review all six schools and available career majors.
- Discuss whether the student truly wants four years of specialized career coursework.
- Attend an open house or information session.
- Collect the final Grade 7 report card and other school records.
- Confirm which application and special requirements apply to the selected program.
During the application period
- Create the application account using a parent-monitored email address.
- Complete every section accurately.
- Upload all required documents.
- Register separately for an assessment, interview or audition when required.
- Save confirmation emails and application receipts.
- Check email and spam folders frequently.
After applying
- Note all assessment, interview and audition dates.
- Continue maintaining strong Grade 8 attendance and grades.
- Prepare for the appropriate admissions step without assuming that every school uses the same process.
- Review transportation, school-day schedule and program expectations before accepting an offer.
Questions parents should ask at an open house
- How many students will enter this career major?
- What happens if a student later wants to change majors?
- Which certifications, dual-enrollment credits or college credits may be available?
- How much homework is typical?
- Which honors and AP courses are available?
- Are clubs, athletics and transportation compatible with the school schedule?
- Are internships, job-shadowing experiences or senior capstone projects required?
- What academic support is available?
- What additional interview, audition or placement steps apply?
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Middlesex County Magnet Schools free?
They are tuition-free for admitted Middlesex County residents
Does every magnet school require an entrance test?
No. Edison Academy and Woodbridge Academy use entrance assessments. East Brunswick, Innovation, Perth Amboy and Piscataway Magnet Schools do not use the same academy entrance test, although other requirements may apply.
When do applications open and close?
Applications generally open on October 1. Edison Academy and Woodbridge Academy have firm academy deadlines around the day before Thanksgiving. East Brunswick, Innovation, Perth Amboy and Piscataway may continue reviewing applications on a rolling basis through March 30 when seats remain, but families should apply as early as possible because individual career programs can fill before that date.
Can students apply after Grade 8?
No. The application process is for Grade 8 students seeking admission to Grade 9. Students begin their four-year career and technical sequence in Grade 9.
Can a student apply to more than one school?
District rules govern how school choices can be combined. The current Innovation information indicates that a student may select one academy and one traditional magnet campus, but may not apply to both academies or to two traditional campuses. Families should confirm the rule inside the current application before submitting.
Is admission guaranteed if a student meets the requirements?
No. Program capacity is limited. Grades, application completeness, assessments, interviews, auditions and the number of available seats may affect the decision.
Do students still earn a regular high school diploma?
Yes. Students complete New Jersey high school graduation requirements while also taking a sequence of career and technical courses.
Is transportation available?
Transportation for Middlesex County residents is generally provided through the student's home district. Parents should confirm bus eligibility, stop location and travel time with their local district.
Can a student return to the home high school?
Yes. A student who decides that the magnet-school program is not the right fit may withdraw and re-enroll in the student's home public school. The parent should first contact both schools because withdrawal timing, records transfer, course placement, credits and scheduling must be coordinated. Families should not assume that an identical course schedule will be immediately available at the home school.
PALS Piscataway Magnet School Test Preparation
Students applying to Edison Academy or Woodbridge Academy face a different admissions process from applicants to the other four schools. PALS Piscataway offers focused preparation for students planning to take these competitive academy assessments.
Preparation may include:
- Mathematics problem solving
- Reading comprehension and English skills
- Essay and written-response practice
- Science preparation for Woodbridge Academy applicants
- Timed practice tests
- Test-taking strategies and review of common errors
- Guidance for staying organized throughout the application period
For 17 years, PALS has worked with families in Piscataway, Edison and nearby Middlesex County communities. One pattern is consistent: students do better when preparation is steady and balanced across the tested areas instead of compressed into the final few weeks. Preparation supports readiness and confidence; it does not guarantee admission.
Preparing for Edison Academy or Woodbridge Academy?
Contact PALS Piscataway to discuss whether the Magnet School Test Preparation program is appropriate for your eighth-grade student.
- Call: 732-777-7997
- Location: 1629 Stelton Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Request Magnet Prep Information