MAGNET SCHOOLS: Frequently Asked Questions
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General Questions about Magnet Schools
What is a magnet school?
A magnet school attracts children and families because it offers something different than their neighborhood school. At its August meeting, the Board created two K-5 magnet schools in Burlington – the Academy for Integrated Arts at H.O. Wheeler, and the Academy for Sustainability at Lawrence Barnes. The integrated arts curriculum will incorporate visual arts, theater, dance, and music into every subject taught. Our community partners at this school include Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, St. Michael’s College Graduate Arts in Education Program, and Vermont Youth Orchestra. At Lawrence Barnes, the thematic focus of the new curriculum is community and environment, which means lots more hands-on science as well as community service. Our partner at Barnes is Shelburne Farms.
Why magnet schools?
The Board created magnet schools both to end the economic isolation at our Old North End schools, and to give the District a chance to implement innovative curricular programs. The magnet schools are an alternative to redistricting as a way to balance the school population, and the experience and good ideas of the magnet schools can be used to invigorate learning for all our kids.
When and where did the magnet school idea get started?
Magnet schools became popular across the country in the 1980s, as a response to court decisions that struck down the ability of districts to desegregate schools by assigning students based on their race. Magnets attempt to achieve integration through choice. At the same time, they also reflect education research that shows that thematic focus in a school can build student and teacher engagement, motivation, and learning. Good student assignment procedures ensure that the schools create more, rather than less, balance across the district. A recent New York Times article
discusses past and current efforts to achieve "The Next Integration."
Magnets
