GCS Special Friday Notes from the Superintendent

October 2, 2007

GCS Receives More than $8.3 Million to Expand Magnet Programs

We are pleased to announce that GCS has been selected to receive $8,345,016 over a three-year period under the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) from the U.S. Department of Education. With the grant, the district will establish an aviation academy and expand the International Baccalaureate (IB), Montessori and Science and Technology programs.

Our students, faculty and staff will greatly benefit from more than $8.3 million provided through this magnet grant. The funding will play an integral role in providing our students with unique and challenging choices to help them succeed in higher education or the career of their choice.

Andrews High is the proposed location for the Aviation Academy, a magnet program that will provide students with a unique opportunity to learn aviation-related science, mathematics and technology. The program will capitalize on engineering and advanced technology courses currently offered at Andrews and will engage students in learning by asking them to solve authentic, “real world” problems.

The grant will also go toward the IB Primary Years Programme at Northwood Elementary and the IB Middle Years Programme at Hairston Middle and Ferndale Middle. Both of these programs will complement existing GCS magnet and choice options by offering a continuum of the IB curriculum from kindergarten through grade 12 throughout the district. The three schools will enter the “Consideration” phase, which includes: obtaining appropriate IB publications, examining IB programme philosophy and curriculum, conducting a feasibility study on possible outcomes and arranging for staff to take IBO-approved training. IB schools will continue to serve students in their assigned district. However, the grant will allow Northwood, Ferndale and Hairston to accept new students from other schools, giving even more children an opportunity for the high-quality, challenging and international education IB can offer.

Montessori, a personalized approach to learning which recognizes that each child learns with a unique style and pace, is a popular magnet program already in place at two schools in the district. Thanks to this MSAP grant, GCS will be able to expand the Montessori program to Washington Elementary.

Finally, GCS will have the opportunity to add a Science and Technology program at Welborn Middle. Welborn students will benefit from the integration of science, technology and mathematics throughout the curriculum.

Please join me in thanking Tony Burks, Director of Magnet Programs, Emily Scott, Grant Writer, as well as their staff members for the hard work and effort in developing a winning grant request package.