The county's popular magnet, fundamental and career academy programs cater to specific skill sets and learning styles.
By DONNA WINCHESTER
Published August 29, 2004
[Times photo: Willie J. Allen Jr.]
Students at the Center for Advanced Technologies at Lakewood High School work on a robot built in February at Baxter Engineering in Largo. The robot was entered into Southeast regional robotics competition in March and won eight of 10 matches. Lakewood’s magnet program is one of 10 high school magnets in the county.
OVERVIEW: Magnet and fundamental schools are widely considered some of the best programs in the county. Magnet schools are available at the elementary, middle and high school level; fundamental schools are available at the elementary and middle school level. These countywide programs - in addition to high school career academy programs - accept applications from students across the county.
MAGNET SCHOOLS: They offer specialized areas of study such as art, science or medicine. The district has four elementary magnets: the Center for Advancement of the Sciences and Technology at Bay Point Elementary, the Center for Communication and Mass Media at Melrose Elementary, and the Center for the Arts and International Studies at Perkins Elementary, all in St. Petersburg, and the Center for Gifted Studies at Ridgecrest Elementary in Largo. There are two middle school magnets: the Center for Advancement of the Sciences and Technology at Bay Point Middle School and the Center for the Arts and Communication Studies at John Hopkins Middle School, both in St. Petersburg. There are 10 high school magnet programs: the Center for Advanced Technologies at Lakewood High School; the International Baccalaureate programs at St. Petersburg High School and Palm Harbor University High School; the Business, Economic and Technology Academy and the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School; the Early Graduation Option at Osceola High School; the Center for Wellness and Medical Professions at Boca Ciega High School and Palm Harbor University High School; the Criminal Justice Academy at Pinellas Park High School; and the 21st Century Learning Center and Teaching Arts Academy at Largo High School.
FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOLS: They offer a "back to basics" emphasis with required homework and parent involvement and a dress code that exceeds other district schools. There are five countywide fundamental elementary schools: Bay Vista Fundamental, Lakeview Fundamental and Pasadena Fundamental, all in St. Petersburg; Curtis Fundamental in Clearwater; and Tarpon Springs Fundamental.
NOTE: Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School in St. Petersburg is an "attendance area" fundamental school. It follows all the policies of a fundamental school, but it is open to children in Attendance Area A only. (Please see map, Page XX.) Parents apply to Thurgood Marshall via the choice attendance area schools application. (Please see the procedures for applying to choice attendance area schools on Page XX.)
CAREER ACADEMY PROGRAMS: These are high school programs that expose students to select vocational fields. Many career academy graduates go to college, but others enter the work force after graduation or refine their skills at Pinellas Technical Education Centers. There are five career academy programs: the Career Academy for International Culture and Commerce at Clearwater High School; the Graphic Arts Academy at Dixie Hollins High School; the Academy of Architectural Design and Electrical Technologies at Dunedin High School; the Automotive Academy at Northeast High School; and the Veterinary Science Academy at Tarpon Springs High School.
ELIGIBILITY: While all children are welcome to apply to countywide programs, entrance to middle and high school magnet programs depends on achievement test scores and grade point averages. At the middle school level, preference is given to students who have graduated from related elementary magnet programs and to children who have siblings in the sixth and seventh grades of the magnet schools to which they are applying. Admission to high school magnet programs also depends on a student's achievement test scores and grade point averages. Graduation from a middle school magnet does not qualify a student for special consideration when applying for enrollment in a high school magnet.
ODDS OF GETTING IN: Countywide programs are wildly popular, drawing far more applicants than the schools can hold. Last year, for example, more than 10,000 applications were received for approximately 2,000 openings. The district uses a random computer selection process to decide which children will get seats. The rest are placed on waiting lists. Because children who already have been placed in countywide programs have first priority at each successive grade level, there are few openings from year to year. Additionally, children who have been placed in countywide elementary programs are "grandfathered" into middle school countywide programs. Children seeking admission to countywide programs can increase their chances by applying to several schools. There is no limit to the number of schools for which they may apply, nor is there a limit to the number of waiting lists to which they can be assigned.
WAIT LISTS: Children who apply but do not get seats in a countywide elementary or middle school program can stay on a waiting list for up to a year, even if they accept a spot at an attendance area school. High school students stay on countywide wait lists until the 10th day of the second semester. The individual schools, not the district, keep the wait lists. As openings come up - for example, if a child who is on more than one wait list accepts a seat at a school, he or she will come off the other wait lists - the school moves the other children up on the list. Parents are notified when their child "comes off the wait list," thus becoming eligible for a seat at the school.
HOW TO APPLY: There is a two-part application process for countywide programs. Parents must first call an automated phone system during the application period. Then, they must call during an acceptance period to accept a program invitation. (Please see the procedure for applying to countywide programs on Page XX.)
