Please see the short survey at the end.
Transylvania County Schools is exploring the interest and viability of magnet schooling. A critical component of this exploration is parent interest and input. We are asking for your help in this process.
A. Operational Definition:
a. Magnet School
i. A magnet school is part of the local public school system. Traditional public school students generally attend schools based on the location of their home. Although Transylvania County Schools has open enrollment, many students attend the school that is nearest to their home. Whereas private schools and charter schools are completely separate from local public school districts, magnet schools remain part of the traditional public school system and operate under the same administration and school board.
ii. A distinctive quality of a magnet school is that they have a special curricular focus. Common themes include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), the arts, and vocational or career education paths. These are examples and there are many possible theme options. Magnet schools are schools of choice. Students are enrolled based on their interest in the school’s theme, not based upon where they live. While schools in the Transylvania County Schools have a strong academic general theme, students still study a complete range of subjects. Each subject is aligned to local, state or national standards of learning.
iii. Magnet schools involve hands on, applied learning that is inquiry and performance based, and usually have alternative and compelling modes of instruction. For example, some magnet schools incorporate a model by which children are active members of the educational process. It is a unique approach to learning sometimes similar to that found in Montessori schools. Magnet schools offer a unique educational philosophy or focus.
iv. T.C. Henderson Elementary School has been selected as a potential location for the system's first magnet school. If there is enough interest, this option can be investigated at other elementary schools
B. Enrollment Logistics:
a. Eligibility
i. Interested parents would submit an application for their child or children to attend TC Henderson in late Spring of 2016. Advance notice of the application process will be shared with all parents.
ii. There are approximately 140 students currently enrolled at TCHES, many of whom live within the same district as the school. These students would be grandfathered in to continue their education at TCHES if they desire to continue there. Out of district students within this current enrollment would be allowed to continue.
iii. The proposed cap for enrollment would be approximately 200 students at TC Henderson Elementary.
iv. Once out of district students currently enrolled at TCHES complete their K-5 education, the actual number of students who are grandfathered in will lower, thus increasing the number of spaces for enrollment applications.
v. Students living in the TCHES district will still be provided first choice to that school. It is anticipated that the number of spaces for students out of district will increase regardless of allowing students within the district first choice.
vi. Situational rules will be developed and applied for siblings.
C. Transportation
a. Students inside a particular district will continue to have access to bus transportation to and from that school.
b. Out of district students will continue to provide their own transportation to and from their school
D. Theme
a. If a magnet school is established at TC Henderson, the theme will be on the STEM principles of math and science, with additional environmental studies. The campus offers strong potential for a magnet theme that includes science and mathematics learning enhanced through experiential hands on options in environmental studies.