Eighteen Wake magnet schools have received national awards, with five schools in the running to be named the top magnet school in the country.
Farmington Woods Elementary, Joyner Elementary, East Garner Middle, Ligon Middle and Enloe High received the School of Excellence Award from Magnet Schools of America, a national trade organization. The Durham School of the Arts was also named a School of Excellence.
The 53 School of Excellence winners will now be considered for the Simpson Distinguished Merit Award, which goes annually to the top magnet school in the nation.
Several Wake magnet schools have won the Simpson Award in the past, including Bugg Elementary, Combs Elementary, Washington Elementary and Enloe High.
Thirteen Wake schools also received the School of Distinction Award this year: Brooks Elementary, Bugg Elementary, Combs Elementary, Douglas Elementary, Fuller Elementary, Hunter Elementary, Powell Elementary, Underwood Elementary, Wiley Elementary, Carnage Middle, Centennial Campus Middle, East Millbrook Middle and Martin Middle.
The schools, including the winner of the Simpson Award, will be announced at a conference in Charlotte in April.
The timing for the awards is good considering that the magnet application period runs until Feb. 28. Click here to apply.
Comments
Awards will be used as propaganda tools in this case
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 18:15 — Voice_of_Reason_It only shows us what can be done. If Magnet programs were truly available to all, then they would have something to be proud of. I'd take poorer performing magnets and better performing traditional school (as a system)any day.
But I will give those magnet school administrations cudos for a job well done...just to be fair.
Agree
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 22:35 — Bob_SconceBut, I don't think it has to be a stark choice -- the key is to increase opportunities at other schools. I dislike the idea of hurting a good school in the hope of helping out another school. That's what WCPSS did with Wakefield and other schools across the county.
I would hope that eventually most of the magnets programs close just from lack of interest -- why spend 2 hours on a bus to get pretty much what you can get at your local school?
I agree - magnet programs
Fri, 02/13/2009 - 11:37 — NWRaleighMomI agree - magnet programs really should have Montessory, museum and similar experimental themes. In Wake, magnet program is the only way for gifted children to be challenged.
That's why WCPSS does not
Fri, 02/13/2009 - 07:00 — vsheehanThat's why WCPSS does not allow other schools to have extras to make sure the Magnets are desirable to people.
The unfair part is that the AG part of WCPSS was add into the Magnets. WCPSS took a need learning environment for some kids and made it a prize for a lucky few. It would be the same as making Special ED services a Magnet program. It shows that WCPSS has no clue what AG students go through that WCPSS treats educating AG students at their level a "Special Treat"
Most states base Full AG services off of CogNat scores end of story. Most states see AG services as the same type of necessary as they see Special Ed services for kids with DXs.
Oh Wake County, what am I going to do with you?
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 10:06 — ObserverNYEveryone likes awards. Awards are special. Recognition. Something to point to. However, as my dear departed mother-in-law used to say, "Self-praise is no praise".
Did ANYBODY bother to take a look at the Board of Directors for the Magnet Schools of America, granters of the Award for Excellence? You didn't? Why does that not surprise me?
Specialized Directors
Stan Burgoyne
International Baccalaureate Organization
New York, New York
Ohhhhhhhhhh! Will ya look at that! Gee, no conflict of interest there, is there?
www.truthaboutib.com
Since WCPSS can divert funds
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 22:12 — Big_PictureSince WCPSS can divert funds from one category to another I have an excellent idea. Discontinue wasteful MYR. Discontinue wasteful busing. Use those funds to put resources where they are needed and to offer magnet-type programs in other schools.
Nahhhhh,
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 22:27 — g88ky07that'd use too much common sense. Rosa and her gang of thugs would rather separate us into the haves and the have not's.
That is excatly what they have done and will continue to do until we FORCE change!
Congratulation. We all
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 18:12 — user1234Congratulation. We all can be proud. It takes a lot of work to be excellent and a lot of work on someone’s part to gather the information to make the application. Good work.
Agreed.
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 18:16 — Bob_SconceIt's unfortunate that access to these programs is being further restricted instead of being expanded to schools all across the county.