General Information > Magnet School Choice

Magnet School Lottery 2009 Information

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Second Lottery June 19, 2009
Application Deadline: June 18th - 4:00PM

Elementary Magnet Schools
Welcome to the new and exciting Columbus School District’s Elementary Magnet Schools! Our transition to magnet school themes have been exciting and very successful. Please attend a Open House Expo to visit our schools and see what our magnet program has to offer you!

While most school districts with a magnet school program offer it only to a limited number of students, Columbus School District will offer magnet school choice to every elementary student in grades K-4.

Magnet Schools Lottery & Open House Expo Dates

   

Our principals and staff members are ready to assist you in any way and we look forward to being able to answer your questions.

In order to attend a Columbus Magnet School :

Parent / legal guardian must be
a resident of the
Columbus Municipal School District

2009 Lottery Timeline

March 2-9, 2009
K-4 Magnet Schools Open House & Expo at Each Site

February 27 - March 27, 2009
Lottery Applications Received at Brandon Daily

March 27, 2009
4:00 P.M. Deadline for School Choice Lottery Applications

April 17, 2009
School Choice Lottery- Brandon Central Office - 10:00A.M.

April 20, 2009
Parent Notification by Mail of the 2009-2010 School Assignment

May 18 - 29, 2009
Registration of New Students at Assigned School

Magnet School Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-Kindergarten Program

If you wish to apply for Columbus Schools Pre-K Program for the 2009-2010 school year, your child must be four (4) years of age on or before September 1, 2009.

Parents must submit a Pre-K Lottery Application and Enrollment Information by March 23, 2009, in order to participate in Pre-K Testing.

There are 60 seats available for Columbus Schools Pre-K Program. Please see the Pre-K Testing Schedule on page 3 for the dates and times for Pre-K Testing.

Students New to Columbus Schools

If your child is new to Columbus School District, you must submit a Magnet School Lottery Application.
A new student is defined as a student who is entering Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, or is moving to Columbus Schools from another school district.

Current Columbus Schools Students

If your child currently attends a Columbus Magnet School in grades kindergarten through third grade and you are satisfied with his or her placement, you do not need to submit an application in this year’s lottery. Your child will have a seat at the appropriate grade for the 2009-2010 school year in his or her current magnet school.

If your child attends Columbus Magnet Schools in grades kindergarten through third grade and you wish to apply to a different magnet school, you must submit a lottery application.

Enrollment Process
To enroll a new student (and a Pre-K student) for Columbus Magnet Schools, parents must complete a lottery application and bring the following information with them to Brandon Central Office to apply for a seat:
1. A certified copy of your child’s birth certificate
2. A copy of your child’s Immunization Compliance Form (Form 121)
3. Two proofs of residency indicating that the child and parent reside in the Columbus School District. These proofs may include: Mortgage/lease agreement, electric, gas, or telephone bill (land-line only), driver’s license, or voter’s registration card. The name and address must be the same on both documents.

What is a Magnet School?

Magnet schools promote academic opportunity and excellence over their regular counterparts. Magnet schools offer attractive programs and instructional strategies that are specifically designed to hold the interest of students and to keep them actively engaged in learning.
All students will receive the core curriculum enhanced by the magnet school’s theme.
All students will have the opportunity to match their interest to a school theme while focusing on excellence in academics.

What makes Magnet Schools a great choice for communities?

Magnet schools offer special programs and instructional approaches that allow all students to match their interest to a school theme. Columbus Schools will implement five magnet school themes. With the support of educators, parents, and the community, magnet schools will be launched in five elementary schools for the 2008-2009 school year with the following themes:
• Fine Arts Magnet School
• Technology and Communication Magnet School
• International Studies Magnet School (International Baccalaureate)
• Medical Sciences and Wellness Magnet School
• Aerospace and Science Magnet School

What are the expansion plans for Magnet Schools in the Columbus School District?

The magnet schools themes developed in elementary school will follow students into the middle school and the high school setting. Students will have the opportunity to continue their educational progress for the theme they have selected in learning groups called Academies. For example, the middle and high school academy concept will have a fine arts, technology, or science emphasis to align with magnet school themes across the district. Students who graduate high school from a certified International Baccalaureate (IB) Program can often enter college as a sophomore. What a wonderful opportunity for students!

Magnet School Themes for Columbus Elementary Schools

Fine Arts – Each child at the Fine Arts Magnet will be exposed to visual art, drama/theater, dance, choral music, and strings.

Technology and Communication – Each child at the Technology and Communication Magnet will be exposed to project based learning, increased use of innovative technology, and an active learning environment.

International Studies / International Baccalaureate (IB) - The IB program is internationally recognized and geared toward catering to the intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills needed to “live, learn, and work” in a rapidly globalizing world. IB also focuses on creative and hands-on ways to learn while offering a glimpse at the world outside of the classroom.

Medical Sciences and Wellness – This magnet program will offer an emphasis on healthy bodies, food/nutrition, and physical fitness. Medical Sciences and Wellness Magnet will promote healthy minds and bodies that increase the opportunity for student success.

Aerospace and Science – Students will be using hands-on experiences in discovery units that will focus on space and aviation to help them learn in all subject areas.


Open House and Expo Dates and Times

Cook Fine Arts Magnet School
Lois Kappler, Principal

Monday, March 2, 2009
5:00 P.M. -7:00 P.M.

Fairview Aerospace & Science Magnet School
Billie Smith, Principal
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
5:00 P.M. -7:00 P.M.

Franklin Medical Sciences & Wellness
Patricia Overstreet, Principal
Magnet School
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M.

Sale International Studies Magnet School
Nancy Bragg, Principal
Thursday, March 5, 2009
5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M.

Stokes-Beard Technology & Communication Magnet School
Pamela Lenoir, Principal
Monday, March 9, 2009
5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M

 

 

 


Columbus Municipal School District
Brandon Central Services Center
Mailing: P.O. Box 1308
Columbus, Mississippi 39703
Physical: 2630 McArthur Drive
Columbus, Mississippi 39705
Phone: 662-241-7400
Fax: 662-241-7453
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