Are magnet schools more academically challenging? (vs, bars, design)

[NewtoWake]

Magnet schools are all the rage among our friends. I looked up information on the WCPSS website, and the biggest difference I could find is that they offer more themed electives. My little one will start in 2012, and we would like to know if the magnet schools set higher academic bars for their students? Do they demand more? Do they push the kids to learn more? Are they more challenging? Or do they just offer more elective courses?

Thanks!

[WeLuvNC]

If they are AG magnets, and your child is in the AG program, then yes - they are expected to be working at 1 or 2 grade levels above their peers.

If it is a GT magnet, then there are many more programs available -- in response to your question - then the goal is to foster your child's gifts and talents (GT) which may or may not be academic in nature. eg: band or orchestra - all kids are required to practice x minutes a day (or 5 days a week) and the teachers work hard to motivate the kids to do so via grading and sheer enthusiasm.

If your child is not inclined artistically, then the art classes will be challenging (but good) for them. For those that are inclined then they will enjoy and thrive at the challenge.

So...not all magnets are academically gifted designated but all magnets are pretty cool in their offerings because they are trying to attract kids to the program -- hence the program offerings...

I hope that makes sense.

[librarySue]

Oh, I hope not!

I only compared Daniels with Martin, but it seemed to me that the only difference was a greater variety of interesting electives, and i THINK that they have one additional class period per day (to allow for an additional elective in the schedule). I suspect that means each class period is shorter.

So I felt that would all be a good fit for my youngest who is not much of a student and has the attention span of a flea, yet is considered AG.

[theS5]

According to a WCPSS high school principal, no. As the previous poster mentioned, it affords the kids an additional elective. If you are assigned to a highly rated school already, then there is not necessarily the need to attend a Magnet.

[wizard-xyzzy]

One son did magnets, the other did not. Little difference K-8, big difference 9-12 (Enloe vs Sanderson). That said, the conventional wisdom used to be that getting into magnets in elementary school greatly increased the likelihood of remaining in the magnet system all the way through.