The "In's and Out's" of Magnet Schools.

Ok basically it is a public school with specialized areas of interest...this particular one is called Galileo; ergo it is a Math and Science specialized school. (it is the only magnet school available within our school boundaries. they are building an art/music one but it is not ready yet.) It is free because it is part of the public school system, but if you apply, it is a lottery to get in. They take the names on the waiting lists and draw so many names for each grade depending on how many spots are available each new year in a particular grade. If the oldest sibling in the family gets in, younger siblings automatically get in, but not however visa versa. Which is why Jacksen got in for Kindergarten and Morgan did not for 2nd grade.

The reason I wanted my kids in this school is basically because it is a Magnet school and a newer one at that, they hired and pulled a lot of the best teachers from around the area to teach at it and they have really great funding with newer/better learning tools/supplies/equipt.

Here is a good explanation I found of the difference between public, Magnet, and Charter schools.----I highlighted what I thought was pertinent info.

What is a Magnet school?

A Magnet school is part of the public school system. Usually students are zoned into their schools based on location. Students mostly go to the school which they are closest to (this may not always be true since boundaries can seem arbitrary). With Magnet schools, the public school system has created schools that exist outside of zoned school boundaries. The point of them is that they usually have something special to offer over a regular school which makes attending them an attractive choice to many students, thereby increasing the diversity of the student population within them (in theory).

Magnet schools are different from private or parochial schools in that they remain part of the public school system. They differ from Charter schools in that they remain part of the public school system bureaucratically. Charter Schools have a different organizational model (i.e. they have a charter that releases them from the regular school administration). Magnet schools operate under the same public school administration (they don’t operate on their own).

Distinguishing them from other public schools, Magnet schools usually have alternative or otherwise compelling modes of instruction. For example, you might find a Montessori Magnet school. A school doesn’t have to be a Magnet school to be a Montessori School. There are also public schools that aren’t Magnet schools which still offer fine academic experiences. Magnet schools differ from other public schools in that they receive additional funding to enable them to spend more money on their students, supplies, teachers, programs, etc.