Magnet School
What is a magnet school?
A magnet school is a tuition-free elementary, middle, or high school of choice that offers specialized courses in addition to the standard core curriculum academics.
Magnet schools are a part of public school systems within the United States and operate under the same administration and school board as traditional public schools.
Unlike traditional public schools, however, magnet schools differ in that students are not zoned into their school based on their home location, but rather enrolled by being a part of a broader school district and by way of an application process.
Magnet schools are also unique in that they have emphasized educational focuses like early college readiness, STEM, the performing arts, leadership, or vocational career pathways.
What are the advantages of a magnet school education?
Benefits of attending a magnet school include:
- A head-start on college or career success
- Diverse student body with a focus on inclusive communities
- Hands-on, project-based learning
- Innovative modes of instruction like Reggio Emilia
- Smaller class sizes that promote student excellence and interests
What do you have to do to enroll at a magnet school?
Admissions criteria vary per magnet school. However, admittance into magnet schools is generally determined by the following factors:
- First-come, first-served applications
- Randomized lottery drawings
- Entrance exams/standardized test scores
- Student interview/audition (for performing arts programs)
To learn more about Goodwin University Magnet Schools, please visit Riverside Magnet School (pre-K through grade 5) and/or Connecticut River Academy (Grades 6 through 12).
Magnet schools offer several benefits including:
- Academic success that prepares students for a lifetime of achievement
- Diverse student body that encourages respect, empathy and collaboration
- Family and community involvement that instills a passion for learning and growth
- Flexible and innovative curriculum centered around a unifying theme
