By Sara Wheeler
Director of Magnet Programs and Project Director-MSAP Grant, School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties (South Carolina); Past President, Magnet Schools of America
That’s exactly what happened when School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties welcomed Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) for a special visit to showcase one of the district’s newest magnet schools. Harbison West Elementary Gifted and Talent Development Magnet School was built upon the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) developed by Dr. Joseph Renzulli and Dr. Sally Reis, nationally recognized leaders in gifted education. SEM focuses on nurturing students’ individual strengths and interests, encouraging them to engage in creative, real-world problem solving.
By emphasizing enrichment opportunities for all learners, Congressman Wilson saw firsthand how the model allows students to pursue their passions while developing critical thinking and leadership skills. This approach has been a cornerstone of School District Five’s success in designing magnet programs that truly stand out.
Beyond the classroom, Congressman Wilson saw how magnet funding has fueled the district’s growth, from only four magnet schools and programs over a decade ago to 17 today. During his visit, Congressman Wilson toured the facility and met with students, staff, and school and district administrators. The direct interaction gave him a primary look at how magnet programs create engaging, high-quality learning environments that meet student interests and needs.
A congressional site visit is more than a tour; it’s a platform to deliver a message.
Along with Harbison West Elementary, the district also introduced Seven Oaks Elementary Global Magnet, which offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program. This addition enhances an internationally recognized framework in the district, emphasizing inquiry-based learning and global-mindedness for young learners. Together, these new programs build upon School District Five’s established magnet themes of STEAM/STEM, Environmental Sciences, Montessori, Leadership, Arts, International Baccalaureate Diploma and Career-Related Programs and Career Pathways.
There are numerous magnet schools and programs located within Congressman Wilson’s 2nd congressional district, which spans several counties. This growth illustrates how magnet programs have become an integral part of providing high-quality, public school choice in South Carolina.
What is the lesson for other districts? A congressional site visit is more than a tour; it’s a platform to deliver a message. Here are four ways to make sure your story resonates and sticks.
Members of Congress expect to hear from administrators, but they remember the voices of students. Choose a few students who can authentically describe how the magnet experience has shaped their learning, confidence, or future goals. Their stories are the most powerful form of advocacy.
At School District Five, students were eager to share their experiences with Congressman Wilson, describing how the program has expanded their learning in ways they never imagined.
Don’t just showcase what happens inside your building; connect it to larger themes such as workforce development, innovation, equity of access, or community partnerships. Position your magnet program as a solution to challenges that Congress already cares about.
School District Five leaders emphasized that magnet schools not only benefit enrolled students but also serve as hubs for the broader community, opening doors to partnerships, collaboration, and shared growth.
Attention is limited. Identify three clear points you want the Member and their staff to leave with, for example: magnets expand opportunity, magnets fuel innovation, and magnets deliver results. Everything you highlight should reinforce these core themes.
At School District Five, the event highlighted how magnet schools support innovation, expand opportunities for students, and strengthen the surrounding community.
The site visit is only the beginning. Follow up quickly with photos, student quotes, or a short recap that reinforces your messages. Invite the Member and their staff back for future events. Think of each visit as part of an ongoing narrative, not a one-time moment.
Congressman Wilson has long been a partner to School District Five, not only making time to visit schools locally but also personally welcoming the South Carolina magnet coalition each fall during the Magnet Schools of America Policy Conference visits to Capitol Hill. Cultivating connections with local staffers, as well as staffers in Washington, DC, has proven key to ensuring strong and ongoing support.
A successful site visit doesn’t just spotlight your school; it strengthens the larger case for the magnet model nationwide. The Congressman’s visit underscored the impact of magnet schools in School District Five and reinforced the importance of continued investment in innovative, public school options nationwide. By shaping the experience around clear messages, authentic stories, and strategic follow-up, districts can ensure that when members of Congress think of innovative, high-quality public education, they think of magnets first.
A successful site visit doesn’t just spotlight your school; it strengthens the larger case for the magnet model nationwide.
