Program Description: Magnet schools are offered as schools of choice for students. The purpose is to provide a desegregation solution by offering excellence in education and exemplary programs in order that parents will voluntarily utilize the magnet schools. These schools are based on the assumptions that no single, ideal way exists to educate all children and they should take a variety of approaches to schooling if we intend to meet the different needs of students. All schools focus on the core curriculum in addition to certain unique curricular offerings. Magnet schools and their distinguishing characteristics are described in the "Magnet Programs Information and Procedural Guidlines" booklet. The magnet schools are:

1. To fulfill the court order for racial integration
2. To provide exemplary educational opportunities
3. To provide parents with some choice in schools

2. The principal maintains a list of student names. The list is derived from the applications. Occasionally, for some magnet programs, students may remain on the list due to lack of available space and/or pupil teacher ratios; therefore, parents are encouraged to make application as soon as they determine they want their son/daughter in a particular magnet program.

3. In April of each year, each principal fills available spaces at each grade level maintaining a 20:1 pupil teacher ratio. Acceptance letters will be mailed to parents with a Student Transfer Form.

4. If parents accept the magnet program appointment for their child, the parents fill out and return the Student Transfer Form to the magnet school principal.

5. The principal verifies the appointment on the Student Transfer Form and then the form is processed by the Office of Magnet Programs.

6. In June, principals will notify parents of students not accepted.

7. Students continue to be accepted for magnet schools from April through August.

8. In order to develop bus routes, a list of all accepted students and addresses will be compiled by each principal and sent to the transportation department by the end of the first week in August.

9. The list of accepted students will also be sent to the office of the Director of Magnet Programs and the office of the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Operations. Updated lists will be sent periodically during the year.

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