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They started in the early 80's by putting special programs and resources into schools which were predominantly in bad neighborhoods as a way to draw suburban kids into those schools to help boost test scores and increase parental involvement. When it was originally started, it was a way to create more racially balanced schools by having suburban families choose to go to school there rather than forced busing.
They are generally popular because of the special programs not found in regular schools.
Per the WCPSS web site here are the objectives of the program.;
Magnet objectives
In alignment with the WCPSS Strategic Plan academic focus areas of Facilitating High Academic Achievement and Growth for All Students; and Reducing Achievement Gaps, WCPSS Magnet Programs will continue to be an important mechanism helping to:
Reduce high concentrations of poverty and support diverse populations
We go to a magnet school and love it. I really love the diversity. You have so many different types of people from the affluent to extreme poverty, every race and ethnicity, mensa geniuses to the inept and it is all very harmonious and equal as far as I can tell, at least as much as any sector of society can be. It has also helped my kids from taking so much for granted. It puts it all in perspective when they regularly bring food in for the kids who are food insecure - it makes it much harder to say something is not fair because they don't have an iPad or something ridiculous.
I also love it for the electives they get because it is a magnet. My 5th grader has taken robotics, photography, kitchen chemists, arts, sports, a class where he got to dissect small animals which was fascinating to him, band, holidays around the world, and many more.
Of course, the drawback is the neighborhood. However, he may actually be safer for it because they do take extra precautions. All doors but the front are locked to outsiders, there is a school safety officer, and people are vigilant. I am there all the time and have always felt safe but on the same token, I have seen what appear to be shady characters not very far away too.
We go to a magnet school and love it. I really love the diversity. You have so many different types of people from the affluent to extreme poverty, every race and ethnicity, mensa geniuses to the inept and it is all very harmonious and equal as far as I can tell, at least as much as any sector of society can be. It has also helped my kids from taking so much for granted. It puts it all in perspective when they regularly bring food in for the kids who are food insecure - it makes it much harder to say something is not fair because they don't have an iPad or something ridiculous.
I also love it for the electives they get because it is a magnet. My 5th grader has taken robotics, photography, kitchen chemists, arts, sports, a class where he got to dissect small animals which was fascinating to him, band, holidays around the world, and many more.
Of course, the drawback is the neighborhood. However, he may actually be safer for it because they do take extra precautions. All doors but the front are locked to outsiders, there is a school safety officer, and people are vigilant. I am there all the time and have always felt safe but on the same token, I have seen what appear to be shady characters not very far away too.
My daughter went to Ligon and Enloe...Ligon is in a worse area than Enloe...but both schools were very safe and we never had an issue. We loved all the schools and it was the right choice for us. Thet are not the right school for every student...every year a few great kids/students go back to their base for a variety of reasond.
So apart from the social aspects is it the added courses that make them more attractive than the nearer school where I presume most of the kids in the neighbourhood would go to?
So apart from the social aspects is it the added courses that make them more attractive than the nearer school where I presume most of the kids in the neighbourhood would go to?
What point are you trying for here? Yes...it's the varied course work and artistic programs that most people are looking at.
No point. Just trying to understand what the difference is between magnet, charter, elementary and what would make a school so attractive that the parents would drive 50 miles a day to take the kids there. This is what our neughbour does.
How varied can the coursework actually be for 6-10 yr olds?
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