For the first time this year, county schools received so many applications for their magnet programs that they held a lottery for open spots.

More than 200 students were initially denied admission, and while school officials say they've already moved many off the waiting list, some students remain disappointed and some parents are wondering why admission isn't based on merit.

"My son's a straight-A student, on the honor roll. He's right at the top," said Glenn Garrison of Edgewater, whose son was denied admission to the new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program at South River High...