Magnet Schools - FAQ for Elementary & Middle Schools

FAQ for Elementary & Middle Schools

What is unique about magnet schools?

At the elementary and middle school levels, each of the magnet programs emphasizes a specialized theme or adheres to a special philosophy of teaching and learning. As for the curriculum, all Guilford County schools, including magnet schools, follow a curriculum prescribed by the State. Magnet schools, however, provide unique opportunities for in-depth study and enrichment experiences in specific areas of interest such as math, science, the arts, foreign language and communications. Also, subjects in the core curriculum are taught with a focus on the school's theme. These experiences greatly expand a student's exposure to particular areas of interest beyond those available in other schools.

The schools with special philosophies, such as the Montessori schools at Triangle Lake, Washington and Erwin, Peeler Open School and Murphey Traditional Academy use unique teaching and learning strategies delivered by teachers who have been specially trained in these methods.

How do you choose the right magnet program?

Choosing the right magnet program is important. Some parents select a program based on their child's special interests, talents and abilities. Others base their choices on the recommendations and experiences of friends with a child already in a program. It is very important for parents to visit the schools they are considering to see the programs firsthand before making a final decision. All magnet schools schedule open houses and tours during the application period and at other times also. To take advantage of these opportunities, call the school for dates and times.

Do families pay tuition to attend magnet schools?

No. There is no tuition for students whose parents live in Guilford County. Occasional costs that may occur during the year would be similar to those in any other school. The state-of-the-art technology, equipment and/or the unique instructional strategies not available in other schools are funded by the school system and a special magnet school grant.

Applications from students whose domicile is outside Guilford County will not be considered.

Are there exceptions to the application process?

Spanish Immersion: Students who live in the Jones or Kirkman Park district and want to be a part of the Spanish Immersion program must complete and submit a magnet application during the application period.

Brown Summit Center for Advanced Academics: There is a separate criteria-based application required for Brown Summit Center for Advanced Academics. The application can be obtained at the school or on the magnet web site and must be returned to Brown Summit Center for Advanced Academics at 4720 N.C. Highway 150 East, Brown Summit, NC 27214, during the application period. Do not submit applications for Brown Summit Center for Advanced Academics to the Student Assignment Office. Submission of the Brown Summit application does not prevent you from also submitting this application for other middle school magnet programs. If the student is selected for both Brown Summit and another middle magnet school, the parent must decide which program they are accepting by the end of the 30-day enrollment period.

Click here to visit the Brown Summit Center for Advanced Academics website.

Who is eligible to apply?

The elementary and middle magnet application process is open to all students who wish to apply. The Spanish Immersion Programs accept students only through first grade due to the uniqueness of these programs.

How do you apply for enrollment?

Applications can be picked up, completed and returned at the annual magnet school fair. Applications are also available at any magnet school, at the Guilford County Schools Student Assignment Office at 120 Franklin Boulevard, Greensboro, on-line by choosing "Applications" from the menu on the left, or by calling (336) 370-8303.

In cases where there are duplicate programs, the residence of the parents/guardians will determine the school to which the student is eligible to apply. The duplicate programs are listed below:

Elementary:

Expressive Arts – Morehead or Parkview
Global Studies – Brooks or Johnson Street
Montessori – Erwin, Washington or Triangle Lake
Spanish Immersion – Jones or Kirkman Park
International Baccalaureate – Falkener or Northwood

Middle:

Middle School for the Arts – Lincoln or Penn-Griffin
Middle School Global Studies – Lincoln or Johnson Street
Middle School Science and Technology – Aycock or Welborn
Middle School International Baccalaureate – Hairston or Ferndale

To verify the school to which your child should apply, call the Student Assignment Office at (336) 370-8303

-OR-

Click here to view the duplicate elementary school magnet feeder patterns.

Click here to view the duplicate middle school magnet feeder patterns.

All completed applications must be returned to Guilford County Schools c/o Student Assignment Office. The address for mailing or delivering the application appears at the bottom of the form. No applications are accepted before the official application period. No advantage is given to applications based on when they are received within the official application period. Applications received after the deadline may be considered on a space available basis.

When is the application period?

The 2013-2014 application period for elementary and middle schools is January 26-February 22, 2013.

How are students selected for admission?

Acceptance into magnet programs is based on a random selection process. Every effort will be made to provide parents written notification of their child's enrollment status by March 28, 2013. Applicants who are not selected in the initial process due to lack of space will placed in a waiting pool and maybe offered the opportunity to enroll later in the year if space becomes available. If no space becomes available during the year, those in the waiting pool must reapply the following year if they still wish to attend the magnet school.

Is transportation provided for magnet students?

GCS will make a reasonable effort to provide transportation for magnet students who are county residents.

Are siblings guaranteed acceptance?

Applicants to an elementary/middle school magnet program who have a sibling already enrolled who will continue in that program next year, will automatically be placed in the program on a space available basis. However, siblings must submit an application during the official application period in order to be considered.

For siblings who are applying and do not have another sibling already in the program of choice, applications will be considered individually. Multiple birth siblings (i.e. twins, triplets, etc.), however, will be considered as one application. For example, if one twin is accepted, both will be accepted.

Do magnet parents have special obligations?

If a child is accepted into a magnet program, and the student is registered at the magnet school, the parent is making a commitment to keep their child in that program for one full school year. Also, magnet parents and guardians are expected to play an active role in their child's education.

My child will not be five years old by the deadline for entering Kindergarten but I would still like to apply for Kindergarten. What criteria must my child meet?

For kindergarten early admission where the child will be four years old on or before April 16, the child must meet specific qualification requirements. A parent must indicate on the magnet application that they have received a copy of the Early Admission to Kindergarten criteria and have reviewed the packet. Without meeting the early admission kindergarten requirements, a student must be five years old on or before August 31 to be eligible for kindergarten. Meeting early admission requirements does not guarantee entrance into a magnet program. All other selection procedures also apply.

For more information about magnet schools

Call the schools you are interested in exploring and ask to speak with the principals and/or other parents who already have children in the school.

Attend the Magnet/High School Options Fair on January 26, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Showplace located at:

211 East Commerce Avenue

High Point, NC 27260

Schedule a tour of the magnets you are considering by calling each school. Special tours are planned at all magnet schools before and during the application period.

Invite a magnet principal or school system administrator to talk to your civic club, church group or neighborhood gathering.

Tune to Channel 2, Guilford County Schools' cable TV station, for special programming on magnet schools during the months of January and February.

For information about the application process, call the Student Assignment Office at (336) 370-8303. For information about magnet programs, call (336) 378-8832.