Magnet Schools Have
No Attendance Zones
Huntington School District officials are continuing their investigation into creating a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) magnet school at Jack Abrams School. Since administrators and trustees discussed the idea earlier this month at a public meeting of the Huntington School Board, the community has been buzzing about the concept.
If the district decides to move forward with the initiative, it would eventually establish “a rigorous, engaging and inquiry-based program,” Superintendent James W. Polansky said. The school would most likely be populated with students on several primary/intermediate grade levels.
But, just what is a magnet school? It is a public school that exists within a district without the usual attendance zone boundaries. Students enrolled in any of the district’s elementary buildings who are in one of the grades that will be educated in the magnet school would be eligible to attend the new program.
Magnet schools were first created more than 40 years ago and have been popular educational choices in urban areas. They typically offer some sort of specialized instruction or academic program. Magnet schools offer open enrollment geographically, regardless of attendance zones.
The Huntington School District is looking into the academic program that might be offered at its STEM magnet school, how much it would cost to establish and operate and what grants are available to underwrite such an initiative.