Update on the Review of WCPSS Magnet Programs
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
Updated August 8, 2007 - Since November 2006, the Wake County Board of Education has been reviewing the Wake County Public School System's program of offering magnet schools to our community. The review has included exploring the history of magnet schools in Wake County, revising the magnet program's county-wide objectives, and beginning a process of evaluating which magnet schools are currently aligned with those objectives.
The WCPSS magnet program's objectives are 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.
At its August 7, 2007, meeting the school board voted to discontinue the magnet programs at four elementary schools: Lincoln Heights, Olds, Root and Wake Forest. This decision was made after determining that the schools were no longer aligned with the objectives set forth for all magnet schools. It was also decided that the new magnet program at Forestville Road Elementary School would not be implemented.
The Board reviewed and approved plans to phase out the magnet programs at four of the schools over a three-year period. The program at Forestville would have been implemented during the 2007-08 school year for the first time.
In addition, the Board agreed to continue the magnet programs that are in place at Daniels Middle, East Millbrook Middle, Zebulon Middle, and Broughton High Schools.
Finally, action was taken to convert Wendell GT Magnet Elementary and Zebulon GT Magnet Elementary Schools to application magnet schools. These two schools were created as equity magnets in 1982 and have never accepted applications.
Throughout the review process, 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.