A change in the Educational Norm

The average sixth grader living in Otsego Minnesota attending a public school can expect to have English, geography, math, science, history and gym classes as part of their school schedule. In Minnesota the state is divided into districts and within those districts they further broken down into school zones. Up until recently most of my community believed that if a student’s home falls in zone A then they attend elementary, middle and high school at A schools. If a student lives in zone B they attend schools that are in zone B. Known exceptions to this rule were children being home schooled and children whose parents are paying for private school. Recently the population in my town has become more aware of the different schooling options available for their children. Magnet schools, which have been around in the United States since the late 1970’s have recently grown in my community. The school district that I live in 728 has partnered with districts 286, 877, 279, 883, 11 and 14 to create four different types of magnet schools:
• International baccalaureate schools
• International baccalaureate world schools
• Visual, performing, literary and new media arts schools
• Science, technology, engineering and math schools.
The magnet schools serve kindergarten through 12th grade and provide specialized courses aimed to promote high academic levels. As an example students at a visual, performing, literary and new media middle school can choose from elective classes such as dance, orchestra and drafting. Not only do students at magnet schools get to choose from electives that are not offered at normal public schools but basic classes such as math and English are adapted to fit the purpose of the school such as to promote and learn through the arts.
I went around my community and asked people what various questions regarding the magnets schools that were offered. I learned that there are still a lot of people that don’t know about these schools and their benefits. I was able to talk to some parents of students who attend magnet schools and some of the children who attend the magnet schools. The parents commented that not only is the education at the magnet schools a step above the normal public schools but the free transportation that is provided and fact that magnet schools are free lifted a huge weight off their shoulders when it came to their child’s education. The students also seemed very pleased. They commented that they liked the variety of electives that they get to choose from and the fact that the school caters to a specific area such as science, technology, engineering and math. One student remarked that the only thing they didn’t like about the magnet school was that they didn’t go to school with children in their neighborhood. Overall magnet schools are a great benefit to students and a great addition to my community.

For more information on magnet schools in the north western suburban school districts of Minnesota please visit http://www.nws.k12.mn.us/