WCPSS Magnet Schools Receive National Honors

February 22, 2008 - Three Wake County Magnet Schools are in the running for the title of the nation’s top magnet school after seven WCPSS schools were named by the Magnet Schools of America as Magnet Schools of Excellence or Magnet Schools of Distinction. 

Broughton International Baccalaureate Magnet High, Ligon Gifted and Talented/Academically Gifted Basics Magnet Middle and Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary were named Schools of Excellence.

East Millbrook International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme/Creative Arts Magnet Middle,
Douglas Creative Arts and Science Magnet Elementary, Farmington Woods International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme Magnet Elementary and, Joyner Center for Spanish Language International Baccalaureate /Primary Years Programme Magnet Elementary were named Schools of Distinction.

Broughton High, Ligon Middle and Combs Elementary are in the running for the Simpson Distinguished Merit award, recognizing the top magnet school in the nation and providing a $5,000 cash award.

Past WCPSS winners of the Simpson award have included Washington Gifted and Talented Magnet Elementary, Bugg Creative Arts & Science Magnet Elementary, Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary and Enloe Gifted and Talented/International Baccalaureate Center for the Humanities, Sciences and Arts Magnet High.

The schools will be honored at the 26th Magnet Schools of America Conference in April in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  School representatives will receive a plaque during the awards ceremony that is the culmination of the conference.

Magnet Schools of America is a collaborative network of thousands of U.S. magnet schools that provide leadership for innovative instructional programs that promote equity, diversity, and academic excellence for all students in public school choice programs. The schools were selected from a national field of candidate magnet schools based on criteria that includes innovative instructional strategies, student achievement, desegregation and diversity goals, and parent and community involvement in the magnet school.  

Families can apply to attend one of the WCPSS magnet schools during the application period which is open until Feb. 29. Applications are made online at http://gm1.wcpss.net/prod/magnetOnline/magnetOnlineMain.php

For more information, contact the WCPSS Magnet Center at 501-7900 or visit http://www.wcpss.net/magnet

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