A magnet school is a public school that offers a special academic focus in addition to the regular curriculum offered by all other public schools in the area. These programs and schools are designed to attract students from across a district.
Unique Characteristics
Unlike charter or private schools, a magnet school is part of the local public school system. At regular public schools, students are generally zoned into their schools based on their home location – students go to the nearest school where they live. Magnet schools are part of a district public school and are open to students in various regions.
Magnet schools focus on specific areas of interest, such as performing arts, world languages, and leadership, as well as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM or STEAM for short) programs. They utilize a hands-on, centralized approach to providing students with a robust learning experience in areas that capitalize on their strengths and interests.
Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity offers students a global educational experience, and equity and access for every child create a foundation for successful magnet schools. Theme-based relevant instruction developed.
Hammond Eastside Magnet School, as part of the Primary Years Programme, empowers lifelong learners and internationally minded citizens by teaching skills needed in a diverse, multicultural world. These 2nd graders from Buchanan Math Science Magnet School in Los Angeles are designing a Martian community after studying Mars as a part of an art project.
Pros and Cons
The benefits of magnet programs include less absenteeism and higher scores on state tests. Questions often arise such as "Why is a magnet school potentially problematic?" with some suggesting they take the brightest students from other schools.
In comparison, "How Hard is Charter School Admission?" Popular charter schools can be difficult to get into. "What Makes a Good Charter School?" dispels Myth #5 that charter schools are impossible to get into—by law, they cannot discriminate by disability, gender, race, or religion.