Parents and guardians of students who live in District 3 on Manhattan's Upper West Side may apply to seven new elementary school magnet programs—if they submit applications by Friday, July 15, 2011.

Magnet schools receive federal funding for three years to attract and engage students by creating specialized programs. They also offer students an opportunity to attend a school other than their zoned school. Each school modifies its name to reflect the theme of the new program.

Not all schools have openings in all grades. For example, PS 87, now named "A School Without Walls," had a waiting list for incoming kindergartners this year, and has only a handful of seats in the upper grades for the magnet program.

Families who wish to apply to a magnet school must obtain a variance, called a Placement Exception Request. They can pick up and submit the form at either the District 3 office, 154 West 93rd Street, or the Borough Enrollment Office, 388 West 125th Street.

See the new magnet programs after the jump.<!--more-->

The Museum Magnet School for Inquiry, Innovation and Imagination (PS 191), 210 West 61st Street. NOTE: Grades 6–8 were formerly known as Hudson Honors Middle School.

Young Diplomats Magnet Academy (PS 242), 134 West 122nd Street. Grades K–5

The Magnet School for Environmental Stewardship (PS 208), 21 West 111 Street. Grades 3–5

Magnet School for Technology and Multimedia Communication (PS 145), 150 West 105th Street. Grades K–5

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Institute of Manhattan (P.S. 241), 240 West 113th Street. Grades K–5

Early Childhood School of Discovery and Design (P.S. 185) 20 West 112th Street. Grades K–2

A School Without Walls (PS 87) 160 West 78th Street. Grades K–5

Are there new magnet programs in your district? Let us know in comments below.