The Magnet Difference

Excellence in academic enrichment is the key to successful college admission as well as to career accomplishments. Magnet schools, however, also enrich students in ways that create a positive effect on the community at large.

Through a more harmonious and healthy interaction to various cultures and socio-economic backgrounds, to developing a deeper understanding of community that comes from hands-on interaction with corporations, non-profits, cultural and academic institutions, students are exposed to a microcosm of the world at large, learning skills of interaction, team building and cooperation.

This positive integration imparts life skills that reach well beyond the classroom. Students of every learning level end up using these experiences in their future pursuits of higher learning and in their work life. Magnet schools close the achievement gap, improve racial harmony and empower all students to reach their individual potential.

As defined by Magnet Schools of America, magnet schools are "the single largest form of public school 'choice,' magnet schools are visionary, innovative and open to all students regardless of zip code. With 4,340 schools educating 3.5 million+ students nationwide, each school typically focuses on individually themed curricula.

The educational themes that some magnet schools focus on include,

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
• Fine and Performing Arts
• International Baccalaureate, International Studies
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) and
• World Languages (immersion and non-immersion)

Magnet Schools attract children of various socio-economic backgrounds, race and academic achievement levels. They are free and open to anyone; due to high demand, most schools determine student acceptance by a lottery system. Magnet schools are accountable to state standards and, in many cases, exceed those standards.

It is the soft skills, however, of teamwork, acceptance, innovation and engagement that make magnet schools the vibrant environment it is for developing positive citizen children prepared for future careers and successful community engagement. This real-life preparation has students not only interacting with peers from all backgrounds, but with hands-on experience working with businesses, cultural institutions, universities and community organizations."