A study was conducted to investigate: (1) how successful has the magnet school been in attracting a student body that is representative of the students in the school district? and (2) according to the perceptions of parents of pupils at a senior high magnet school, what are the important program and non-program factors affecting the "magnetic" quality of the school? The study focused on the High School for Creative and Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Findings regarding the first area of investigation were: (1) students at the studied high school were representative of the system-wide senior high school population in terms of sub-districts, the number of former high schools represented, and home residence; (2) more girls attended the high school than boys; (3) the school had a better racial balance than the school district; and (4) students were above average in achievement. Regarding the second area of investigation, according to parents, the most important factors in choosing a magnet school were: (1) uniqueness of curriculum; (2) safety in the school building; (3) safety in the school neighborhood; and (4) staff support of the contentions in the magnet school's literature. (Author/APM)