In the News

February is National Magnet School Month

February 3rd, 2017

Nationwide, there are approximately 4,340 magnet schools serving nearly 3 million students. Magnet schools are the largest form of public school choice, providing families with opportunities to meet the individual learning styles, talents, and interests of their children. They were originally created as a means of voluntarily promoting school integration and improving America’s public education system.

Today, magnet schools continue to flourish and are preparing students for college and 21st century careers. Knowing that students learn differently, magnet schools focus on specialized theme-based curriculum and instruction, while still meeting all state and district academic standards. Magnet schools are public, free and open to all students, and should be an essential component to every school district portfolio.

Through school choice, magnet schools work to close the achievement gap, improve racial harmony, and make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of children. Research has proven that magnet schools increase academic achievement, graduation rates, school attendance, parent and teacher satisfaction, and school diversity. 

National Magnet School Month Proclamation

WHEREAS, there are approximately 4,340 magnet or theme-based schools in the United States serving nearly 3 million students,

WHEREAS, magnet schools are the original form of public school choice and have played an integral role in promoting racial and socioeconomic integration since the landmark Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education,

WHEREAS, magnet schools are based on five pillars of success: Diversity, Innovative Curriculum and Professional Development, Academic Excellence, High Quality Instructional Systems, and Family and Community Partnerships,

WHEREAS, students who attend racially and socioeconomically diverse magnet schools have higher levels of 21^st century skills and capabilities like critical thinking and the ability to communicate across different cultures. They are also more likely to reject stereotypes, adopt multiple perspectives, develop cross-racial friendships, and seek out diverse colleges and universities, workplaces, and neighborhoods,

WHEREAS, theme-based magnet schools provide families with a wide variety of public school choice options that nourish the individual talents and abilities of all students and prepare them for college and future careers,

WHEREAS, magnet schools offer high-quality, rigorous, and specialized programs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); Aerospace and Aviation; Medical and Health Science; Environmental Studies; Business, Finance, and Communications; Foreign Language; Performing and Visual Arts; International Baccalaureate (IB); Montessori, and many other theme-based curricula and pedagogies that meet the demands of the global economy,

WHEREAS, magnet schools are considered school turnaround models that boast higher academic achievement, attendance and graduation rates, student and teacher satisfaction, reduced disciplinary problems, and greater parental and community involvement,

WHEREAS, magnet school principals and teachers are responsible for providing vision and leadership in their schools and community and have unique skills, talents, and abilities that are developed through theme-based programming and professional development,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the month of February 2017 is National Magnet School Month, a time for the nation to celebrate school diversity and theme-based magnet programs by hosting events and activities that promote educational equity and excellence for all students.