Explanation of Magnet Themes
Even though most themes of our magnet programs are more nuanced, they can essentially be divided into five categories: Leadership, STEM, Traditional, Communications, and Arts.
Our Leadership-focused schools use the Leader in Me framework which nurtures student leadership, fosters a culture of trust, and boosts academic success. During this process, students are given more agency to take charge of many of the daily building tasks that adults would typically do.
Our STEM schools focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Some, such as our environmental magnet schools, have a narrower focus while others integrate all aspects of STEM equally.
Our Traditional magnet themes were all implemented in the 1990's with a "back to the basics" idea, focusing on reading, writing, and arithmetic. Over the years, each Traditional school has evolved to meet the needs of the students and they look very different now even though they all have that original "traditional" idea at their core.
Communications schools in the district typically focus on two elements. The first is the more traditional electronic aspect such broadcasting, podcasting, and writing. But our communications magnets have evolved to also focus on teaching students about interpersonal communication such as eye contact, speaking, listening, and communicating effectively.
Our Arts magnet schools all focus on fine arts, media arts, performing arts, or a combination of these. For example, Buckner focuses on performing arts and students put on multiple plays every year, while Gordon Parks Academy focuses on media arts, teaching their students about sound recording, photography, and filmography.
