Parents say the special school programs make up for the extra time students may spend on buses to reach them.
By ELISABETH DYER
Published October 10, 2003
BRANDON - Some schoolchildren in Brandon wake earlier than others to catch buses before 6 a.m. In predawn darkness they ride to a transfer hub, where they catch another bus, arriving at their schools just after sunrise.
The students forfeit sleep to attend a county magnet program, where extra money buys new technology and where enrollment caps keep class sizes small.
They choose the programs to prepare for careers entertaining, exploring space, advancing computer technology and curing diseases.
Earlier than usual, decision time for next school year is here.
Magnet schools, the first tier of school choice this year, are accepting applications for 2004-05 through Nov. 14, when choice between neighborhood schools begins.
For magnet school students, the advantages of the programs outweigh travel times.
"Kids have to really want to go to the school to transfer," said Barbara Brown, magnet administrative resource teacher. "Everybody who's there is there because they want to be there. They want that focus."
While choosing a school may take some work, getting into elementary and middle magnet programs is as simple as turning in a one-page application before deadline. Students win slots through a lottery system. Some magnet schools pull children only from certain areas. For example, the elementary school computers and technology theme pulls most Brandon children to Lincoln, except for children east of U.S. 301. who go to Lee Elementary.
But for high schools, the process is competitive and varies by school. Students must complete a writing session and are evaluated on grades, teacher recommendations, writing samples and even portfolios and auditions in some cases.
Magnet schools began in Hillsborough County at Lee Elementary and Ferrell Middle in 1993. A solution to desegregation, they lured children equally from mostly black and white neighborhoods to previously low performing schools in poor neighborhoods.
Now, the practice encourages diversity within schools and promotes alternative teaching styles.
The magnet program has grown steadily.
Next year brings two new magnet programs. MacFarlane Park Elementary focuses on preparing kids for an international baccalaureate program. Franklin Middle focuses on law and public service.
Federal grants supplement district funds for operating expenses. This year, the grants contributed more than $2-million. Much of that will pay to set up the new schools.
At Blake High, federal money helped build studios for art, dance and sculpture, photographic darkrooms, a computer lab and a $7-million auditorium with an orchestra pit.
At Tampa Tech, students practice veterinarian skills with live cats, dogs and even a hedgehog. In eight medical labs, students learn to take body fluids, practicing first with fake arms and working up to live patients. As seniors, they gain experience interning at local hospitals and doctors offices.
"We expect all our students to go on to college," said teacher Elizabeth Campbell.
The extra money also permits magnet schools to limit class size.
"One of the huge draws is that we've capped our schools at 800 to 850 max, which keeps class size small," said Brown. "It frees teachers to look at each student individually so that every kid can excel."
Of course, magnets aren't for everyone.
Some parents want to keep their children closer to home in neighborhood schools.
And some children don't want to leave friends behind.
For those drawn to magnet schools, transportation is the biggest hurdle. Magnet schools release students at 2:30 and 2:45 p.m. The majority of the 10,000 students are home by 4:30 p.m. and everyone's home by 5 p.m., said Gayla Norris, route coordinator for magnet transportation.
"We've had a couple misplaced because they were asleep on the backseat," she said, "but we've never lost one."
Magnet school meetingsAttend a meeting at any of these locations, where representatives from all magnet schools will explain their programs: Wharton High, Tuesday; Riverview High, Oct. 20; Sickles High, Oct. 23; Armwood High, Oct. 28; or Middleton High, Nov. 3. Sessions are 6:30 to 7:20 p.m. and 7:30 to 8:20 p.m.
Attend an open house at the magnet schools. Elementary and middle magnet schools will open their doors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 1. High school magnets will accept visitors at these times and locations: Middleton, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday; Blake, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27; Hillsborough, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 5; and Jefferson, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8.
