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Magnet Programs One-Stop Info Center

Magnet Programs Review: Frequently Asked Questions

Objectives

Magnet Programs will be used to foster healthy schools throughout the Wake County Public School System by using choice to help:

  • Reduce high concentrations of poverty and support diverse populations;
  • Maximize use of school facilities and
  • Provide expanded educational opportunities

  1. What are the objectives of our school system’s magnet programs?
    Magnet programs are used to foster healthy schools throughout the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) by using choice to help:

    • Reduce high concentrations of poverty and support diverse populations;
    • Maximize use of school facilities; and
    • Provide expanded educational opportunities.

  2. What is a magnet programs review?
    A magnet programs review is a comprehensive study of all of the magnet schools in our school system. The purpose of this data-driven study is to determine how healthy each school is and the extent to which each school is meeting the objectives of the WCPSS Magnet Programs.

  3. Is it the school board's goal to eliminate magnet programs from Wake County?
    No. The Wake County Board of Education has continually affirmed the importance of magnet programs and the role they play in sustaining a healthy school system.

  4. Is this review an evaluation of the magnet programs in place at the individual schools?
    No. This review is strictly a study of the extent to which the magnet schools are meeting the objectives listed above.

  5. Are there any magnet middle or high schools included in this review?
    All of the magnet middle and high schools were included in this study. The Board of Education voted not to change any of the programs in place at the magnet middle and high schools.

  6. Which schools will lose their magnet programs?
    Forestville Road, Lincoln Heights, Olds, Root, and Wake Forest Elementary Schools.

  7. What will be the impact during the 2007-08 school year?
    There will be no impact during the upcoming school year. The Board of Education approved plans to phase out the programs at four of the schools over a three year period. The program at Forestville was scheduled to be implemented this year for the first time.

  8. If I have a child at one of these schools, will he or she retain his or her magnet status?
    Yes. Current magnet students retain their magnet status as long as they remain students at that school. For example, a rising third grader will maintain his or her magnet status through fifth grade, giving that student some priority in the magnet application process for middle school.

  9. Will my magnet student’s younger siblings be allowed to attend this school?
    Yes, siblings of current magnet students will be admitted with magnet status. These students will be allowed to maintain this status through fifth grade, allowing the sibling a priority when applying to a magnet school at the next level.

  10. We just applied and were accepted for the first time into one of the schools whose magnet program is being phased out. How will this affect my child’s magnet status?
    Current and new magnet students retain their magnet status as long as they remain students at that school. For example, a rising kindergartener will maintain his or her magnet status through fifth grade, giving that student a priority in the magnet application process for middle school.

  11. How will transportation for magnet students be affected if the program at these schools?
    Students who currently receive transportation will continue to do so during the phase-out period. Transportation will be discontinued at the end of the phase-out and parents will need to provide their own transportation at that time.

  12. What other actions did the Board take regarding magnet schools?
    The Board agreed to convert Wendell GT Magnet Elementary and Zebulon GT Magnet Elementary Schools from equity magnet schools to application magnet schools. For the first time in the schools’ histories, they will admit magnet students through the application process for the 2008-09 school year.

  13. How are WCPSS magnet programs funded?
    Since 1982, WCPSS has committed a portion of its local budget to fund the overall operating costs of magnet programs. Currently, the district operates a network of 35 magnet schools with an overall operating budget of 12.6 million dollars. The cost of operating magnet programs represents slightly more than 1 percent of the 1.2 billion dollar WCPSS operating budget.

  14. Are there any other sources of funding for the magnet programs that are in place in our school system?
    Yes. WCPSS Magnet Programs seeks additional funding every three years through the federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant. When awarded, this grant provides funds for start up costs for new magnet programs or significant revisions at existing magnet programs for qualifying schools. Since the late 1980s, WCPSS has received over $30,000,000 in federal MSAP funding to assist in improving magnet schools’ overall effectiveness in reducing high concentrations of poverty throughout the district. Additionally, we seek out other grant opportunities on a regular basis.

Updated August 8, 2007

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