Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS) has a unique mission: to provide a college preparatory education that prepares urban students for professions and careers in agriculture. Since it first opened its doors in 1985, CHSAS has attracted a diverse student population from across the city of Chicago. As the only school of its kind in the Midwest, CHSAS offers students the opportunity to develop skills and competencies that equip them to change the image of urban agriculture. Selected as a Magnet Schools of America National School of Distinction in 2018, CHSAS exhibits all the attributes that make magnet schools vital to the American education system.
I believe that creating a truly effective STEM/STEAM learning environment in a school or school system requires a cultural shift. STEM/STEAM is a transdisciplinary approach to education that not only includes Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Science, but it embodies the 4 C’s of 21st Century Learning (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity). STEM/STEAM education must contain real-world problem solving and a connection to careers.
With outstanding academic performance and a focus on curiosity and innovation, Glacier Hills Elementary School of Arts & Science (GHESAS) is one of the best magnet schools in the country. Glacier Hills uses science and mathematics, technology and multimedia arts to create the collaborative atmosphere essential to cultivating deeper learning experiences for its students. At GHESAS, students are prompted to ask questions and take risks through its inquiry approach, which encourages students to engage through application. As one of Magnet Schools of America’s 18 national demonstration schools, this Eagan, Minnesota magnet school embraces the core missions of diversity and inclusion to prepare its young students to thrive in a global society.
On July 31, the president approved his first piece of major education legislation when he signed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century (Perkins V) Act. This law reauthorizes for six years the federal government's main career and technical education program that provides more than $1 billion dollars annually to state and local education agencies. The Perkins Act was originally created in 1984 and is designed to help high school and community college students develop the skills necessary to fill in-demand industry jobs.
By embracing diversity and providing an innovative curriculum focused on individual artistic abilities, New World School of the Arts (NWSA) has established itself as one of Florida’s top magnet schools. The performing arts school has made it its mission to empower students to become local, national and international leaders by challenging them with fresh ideas and pushing them to be active members of a global community. Because of all this and more, Magnet Schools of America has recognized NWSA as one of only 18 Nationally Certified Demonstration Magnet Schools.
Magnet Schools of America (MSA), the national association of magnet and theme-based schools, announces a new cohort of nationally certified magnet schools for 2018.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, East Career and Technical Academy (East Tech) in Las Vegas, Nevada stands tall as one of only 15 Magnet Schools of America nationally certified Demonstration Schools and the Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Distinguished Merit Award winner for 2018 – MSA’s highest honor. Known as “The Mountain” by students, faculty and staff, East Tech empowers its learners to climb to the top and reach for success in an ever-changing technological world.
Research shows that classrooms with students from a wide variety of backgrounds improve achievement, create access to valuable resources, and are better learning environments. Magnet schools were created in the wake of Brown v. Board, with the foundational belief that American students – and American democracy – are better off when our classrooms comprise a wide range of differences and perspectives.
East Career and Technical Academy received the top merit award this year from Magnet Schools of America - the No. 1 honor among the association's many awards. At East, students can choose from eight programs of study ranging from early childhood education to mechanical technology. The students know they're in a special place. "I feel like with them expecting a lot from us, it kind of pushes us toward better," said marketing program junior Aurora Osuna.
New London is the state's only full magnet district. Parents and students can choose themes like STEM - science, technology, engineering, mathematics, language and culture. Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School is project-based learning. For one project, students worked on an opera, where kids wrote, produced, acted, sang and did everything in between!
