Core educational programming incorporates <a href="#8bbad0b4-d7d6-4dd2-92a2-5b3f307b3acd">specific themes or subjects</a>, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), performing arts, international studies, or languages, allowing students to delve deeper into areas they are passionate about.

Teachers use innovative teaching methods tailored to the specific theme or focus, like project-based learning, experiential education, or specialized extracurricular activities.

Schools strive to develop student bodies that reflect the surrounding community, exposing students to a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and cultures to enrich their overall education.

Strong community partnerships, including partnerships with businesses, cultural institutions, and universities, provide unique opportunities for real-world experiences and internships.

Students get a solid foundation in specific fields, giving them an advantage if they choose to pursue further education or careers in those areas.

A smaller learning environment ensures students get individualized attention that supports their learning style.

Students entering grades PK3 through 12th grade can apply.

Make sure you’re eligible.

You are eligible to receive only one magnet offer, so make sure you would accept an offer to each school you select. You do not have to apply to the maximum number of schools.

Only apply to schools that are a fit for your family.

You do not have to apply to the other program options (Open Choice, CTECS).

If you’re only interested in magnet schools, only apply to magnet schools.

Make the school with a priority your first choice for the best chance of a placement.Applicable Placement priorities:<ul><li data-block-key="17i0s">Direct Pathway</li><li data-block-key="a9532">Enrolled Siblings</li><li data-block-key="c4ddo">Placed Siblings</li><li data-block-key="2h88o">Child of Staff</li><li data-block-key="cefv2">Pathway School</li><li data-block-key="2kg7p">Residential Neighborhood</li><li data-block-key="cdqp8">Residential Zone</li></ul>

Have a placement priority?

The RSCO application process is different from a traditional application process. While families can apply to multiple options, a student is only eligible for one choice.So, if a placement offer is made, the student is automatically removed from all other waitlists. We try to place students in their top choices, but this is not always possible. A placement offer could be made for any selected school on an application.

Pathways support students as they transition within the magnet system. If you’re moving from elementary to middle or middle to high school, priorities are available between specific magnet schools to help increase the chance of placement and keep groups of students together.

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Students moving up to another magnet school may get priority through pathway schools.

Magnet schools operated by the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) and Goodwin University Magnet School System charge prekindergarten tuition based on a sliding scale. Tuition varies with family income.

bank

Some schools charge prekindergarten tuition

The Advanced Manufacturing theme provides students with the skills and training required for a career in the high-demand advanced manufacturing field. Through hands-on experience on state-of-the art technology equipment, students develop the skills to prepare them for future careers and/or advanced education in manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and more.

tool-box

Advanced Manufacturing

There are several magnet schools that are specifically geared toward students interested in art, music, dance, digital arts, creative writing, theater design, and other art forms. This theme integrates a rigorous core curriculum with instruction by professional artists focused on fine and performing arts.

theater

Arts/Visual and Performing Arts

The Character Education theme combines academic rigor with character development in a warm and welcoming environment to support active and mindful students who are confident, self-aware, cooperative and responsible decision-makers. The theme prioritizes mindfulness and good character by focusing on educating the whole child to prepare students for success in middle school, high school, and beyond as citizens and contributing members of society.

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Character Education

This theme offers opportunities in computer science and engineering for students to learn coding and design for websites, applications (apps), and game development – all critically important 21st century skills!

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Computer Science and Engineering

A dual language education creates an immersion experience in English and Spanish during all academic class time to develop language skills in English and Spanish, with the goal of bilingual fluency and bilingual literacy for our young learners.

character patterns

Dual Language

Early College and College Preparatory themed schools focus on college and career readiness at graduation, using a college model environment and providing an early start on earning college credit.

education

Early College/College Preparatory

These magnet schools are for our youngest students and focus on developing a love of learning and creating a sense of wonder about the environment, culture, and our world through hands-on learning!

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Early Childhood

Geared toward the 21st century global environment, this theme challenges students with rigorous academics and prepares them to become responsible, civic-minded citizens with intercultural understanding and respect.

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Global Studies

The IB theme is geared toward the 21st century global environment by preparing students for college and beyond through rigorous academics, critical-thinking, and independence. IB uses the international baccalaureate learner profile to challenge students through global-minded academics to get them ready to participate in the world with intercultural understanding and respect.

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International Baccalaureate (IB)

Students in a MicroSociety experience a wide variety of learning environments by creating miniature societies within the school to prepare students to be engaged and active citizens. The six major components of the MicroSociety are: Technology, Economy, Academy, Citizenship and Government, Humanities, and the Arts. Through active student government and academic engagement, students participate in decision-making for their school society and connect learning to the real world.

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MicroSociety

The Montessori theme offers students a nurturing and supportive learning environment that provides rigorous academic challenges while focusing on developing students’ social, emotional, academic, and physical needs. The curriculum is delivered through a hands-on approach to learning and puts students at the center of their skill development. The Montessori principles encourage respect, independence, curiosity, and diversity.

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Montessori

The Multiple Intelligences theme focuses on developing intelligence by allowing students to experience different ways of learning, including through linguistics, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist. These eight areas are integrated in the classroom activities and learning modules to accommodate all learning styles and build on students’ individual strengths. This mixture of intelligences provides students with the opportunity for learning based on their needs, interests, and skills.

cognitive

Multiple Intelligences

This theme transcends the traditional classroom and creates a unique learning environment through partnerships with museums as an educational resource and site for exciting and stimulating excursions. The Museum Studies approach focuses on hands-on, project-based learning that individualizes content to each student’s way of learning. Students learn to think for themselves and ask questions through a strong inquiry-based and exploratory learning environment. Teachers and students participate in Visual Thinking Strategies, a museum method of observation and dialogue around formal pieces of art that develops higher-level language and thinking skills.

finance

Museum Studies

The Reggio theme supports an individualized learning environment inspired by the Italian Reggio Emilia approach. The curriculum is designed to respect a child’s point of view, and students are empowered to direct their learning. With the teacher acting as a guide, project-based learning opportunities inspire high levels of creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative problem solving.

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Reggio Emilia

The Social Justice theme promotes social and individual responsibility, global understanding, community engagement, and student empowerment. Strong academics, field experiences, and leadership skills help students develop tenacity, accomplishment, courage, community wellness, and a commitment to justice.

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Social Justice

The Sport and Medical Sciences theme integrates academics and advanced technology into the learning experience with a focus on medical science in the sports context. The theme is integrated throughout the core curriculum to prepare students for advanced studies in sport medicine, exercise science, and health management.

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Sport and Medical Sciences

Students interested in science, math and technology will thrive in this setting! STEM prepares students for college and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and fosters inquiring minds, logical reasoning, and great collaboration.

chemistry

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

This theme is closely related to STEM but adds Art and Reading to the mix. STREAM focuses on inquiry-based learning and inspires students to become lifelong learners from an early age. STREAM teaches students to interact with the world through both artistic and scientific processes.

microscope

STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Math)

The Technology theme prepares students for the ever-changing demands of a technologically advanced global society by engaging students in the design, implementation and support of advanced technological systems and exposing them to 21st century technological skills through the core curriculum and extensive electives, such as graphic digital design, computer coding, and web design.

Technology

Where you can find us.

Magnet programs offer hands-on learning experiences focused on <a href="#8bbad0b4-d7d6-4dd2-92a2-5b3f307b3acd">specific themes</a> or specialized programs, like Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), visual and performing arts, International Baccalaureate, Montessori, and many more.

magnet

Interdistrict Magnet Schools

Grades PK3-12

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Less than high school, no degree

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Not enrolled in school

Interdistrict Magnet Schools

Educational Benefits

Specialized curriculum

Specialized curriculum

Innovative teaching methods

Diversity

Community partnerships

Preparation for specialized careers

Small learning environments

Specialized curriculum

Magnet School Application Tips

Make sure you’re eligible.

Only apply to schools that are a fit for your family.

If you’re only interested in magnet schools, only apply to magnet schools.

Have a placement priority?

Important!

Other things to know

Students moving up to another magnet school may get priority through pathway schools.

Some schools charge prekindergarten tuition

RSCO magnet school themes

Advanced Manufacturing

Arts/Visual and Performing Arts

Character Education

Computer Science and Engineering

Dual Language

Early College/College Preparatory

Early Childhood

Global Studies

International Baccalaureate (IB)

MicroSociety

Montessori

Multiple Intelligences

Museum Studies

Reggio Emilia

Social Justice

Sport and Medical Sciences

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Math)

Technology

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