How to Get Into a Magnet School

Many parents looking at high school educational options are likely to encounter a magnet school, whether it is focused on science, the arts, public service or even more specialized interests.

"Magnet schools have been a springboard for success for so many students," says Todd Mann, executive director of Magnet Schools of America, a professional association that supports magnet schools.

Magnet schools were born of the civil rights movement as a way to eliminate school segregation. They are part of public school districts, or sometimes a collaboration between more than one district, and are run by public school administrators. Unlike traditional public schools, they often have a focus, like arts or science, and draw students from outside the usual neighborhood boundaries.

About 3.5 million children attend magnet schools -- roughly one of every 15 students in public schools -- and there are about 4,340 magnet schools across the country, according to Magnet Schools of America. California, Florida, New York, Illinois, North Carolina and Texas all are states where magnet programs are strong.

Choosing a Magnet School

Magnet schools offer an increasing number of specializations. For example, the Connecticut River Academy in Connecticut is a high school focusing on advanced manufacturing and environmental science. At the Sumner Academy of Arts and Science in Kansas, every student participates in the rigorous International Baccalaureate program.

Education experts say parents need to do research to determine whether a magnet school is a solid fit. "Seek information often and early," says Casey Cobb, a professor at the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut, who researches magnet school policies.

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Laurie Kopp Weingarten, a certified educational planner and independent educational consultant in New Jersey, says magnet schools have pros and cons.

"For students who know what they want to study, they can start exploring at a younger age," she wrote in an email. "That can help them learn if they truly are interested in the field that the magnet school focuses on. They also receive, in many cases, a private school education equivalent at a public school cost."

The danger, she says, is that students are asked to make a decision in eighth grade, and a four-year commitment can be a lot for someone just entering their teens.

"Often these students realize after a few years that the subject of the magnet school doesn't align with their interests and talents," Weingarten says. "At that point, they either have to remain in the high school, studying classes that don't interest them, or they need to return to their home high school in the middle of their school years. Neither option is optimal."

There are also many considerations beyond academics. Magnet schools can involve longer commutes, and not all provide transportation. That can add to a family's logistical challenges and costs. Some smaller schools have fewer offerings in terms of sports and other activities. A magnet school can also mean friends are spread out geographically, giving children fewer peers in their own neighborhoods.

Applying to a Magnet School

Magnet schools that have too many applicants sometimes use lotteries for admission. Schools in extremely high demand often have grade requirements and use standardized tests. Some go even further. For example, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia, rated one of the top high schools in America, includes a problem-solving essay as part of the application. Schools that focus on performing arts, such as Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., can require an audition or portfolio review.

"Families should gather as much information as they can about admissions," Weingarten says. "Most high schools are transparent about how the process works. It can usually be found on their website. ... They can then try to prep their student for the test, essay, interview, etc. And, of course, students need to earn high grades in middle school."

Parents will want to help their children prepare. For example, if the school requires an interview, parents can set up mock interviews with a family member. Asking other families who have been through an interview process can help kids understand what to expect, Cobb says.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic has caused schools in many locales to question their testing policies, admissions tests are still common. Parents can help students improve their scores by practicing for the test in much the same way that college applicants practice for the SAT or ACT. Books and classes are available to get students ready for most standardized tests.

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Weingarten says tests can weigh heavily on admissions in some areas. "In Monmouth County, New Jersey, where I reside, it's a whopping 70% of the decision," she says. "The other 30% is grades in seventh and eighth grade. There are no other criteria."

Understanding Admission Lotteries

School districts often use lotteries to decide who gets into magnet schools, but the systems are not always completely random. Students in some locales get extra points in the lottery for a variety of factors. Los Angeles, for example, gives students extra credit in the lottery for having a sibling at the magnet school, having been on the waitlist the previous year and for coming from a school with overcrowding.

Families in districts with many magnet schools can sometimes list several top choices to improve the chances of getting into one. Often, a lottery drawing will fall short of an admission but will result in placement on a waitlist. A high placement on that list can sometimes result in an admission if students who were admitted in the first round choose not to go.

Whether admission is by lottery or other means, education experts say magnet schools offer benefits that can make the application process worth it. Magnet Schools of America reports that 90% of students graduate at magnate high schools and that 72% go to college.

"A magnet school can offer an advantage because the students are bright ... so the classes are demanding and may be more rigorous than normal honors classes," Weingarten says. "In addition, the school is much smaller than the normal public high school. Students benefit from individualized attention and guidance."

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