Will the uncertainty about the future of Wake County's magnet school program affect the number of applications this year?
The online application period for magnet schools and calendar schools began today and runs through Feb. 28. The magnet program is in a state of flux as some of the new school board majority wants to revamp things, spreading magnets around the county.
School board member John Tedesco has talked about phasing in the changes over a three-year period beginning in 2011-12. But will that make some families reluctant to apply for the 2010-11 school year?
There were 9,229 magnet applications last year. Slightly more than half of the applicants were placed in a magnet school or calendar application school.
Last year's magnet selection criteria, which includes giving priority to more affluent schools and nodes, will likely be used again this year. It would take school board vice chairwoman Debra Goldman backing down from her position that it's too late to make criteria changes for this year for the revisions to be made.
Goldman, who is also against a major revamping of the magnet program, has said she wants to hold off until next year on changing the selection criteria to make it more of a true lottery.
Click here for the applications.
There is one change this year to the application process.
Families will be able to check online to find their student’s calendar or magnet school assignment on March 18. When families make their online application, they will receive at the completion a confirmation screen.
Applicants will need to print a copy of the confirmation screen and have it available March 18 to log on to find the results. Families will have the opportunity to accept or decline this offer.
Comments
For a start, how about a
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 19:37 — MomknowsbestFor a start, how about a real lottery now Ms Goldman. Smart kids have been deprived long enough. How about when we apply to a traditional school for the younger sibling in order to be on the same calendar as the high school sibiling, WCPSS don't allocate a school which is further away than all the other schools we have to drive by???
I think the Leesville Road
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 16:10 — changewcpssI think the Leesville Road campus will provide us with another interesting case study. How many of those who voted for a year round seat on the calendar choice survey will actually accept a year round seat after the Leesville Road schools are traditional? I really have become consumed with this situation but as a supporter not criticizer.
BoE rightfully suggested holding off on this application period until parents would be certain regarding their application choice. True to form C Dulaney & Co. preferred to stick it to the parents and rush into it.
Keung - Where would I find
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 15:20 — red_balloonKeung - Where would I find information on grade wise vacancies for the magnet schools for the 2010-11 year?
You'd probably have to get
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 15:56 — KeungHui (author)You'd probably have to get it from the individual schools at this point. Shortly before Growth & Planning runs the computer program next month, they'll get info from the principals about the number of openings to fill.