MCPSS Magnet Schools
are open-zoned schools. Open-zoned schools do not have a designated
attendance area for students, but instead, encompasses the entire MCPSS
attendance area. To determine which students should be able to attend
our selection schools, students are chosen based on an application and
lottery process and are required to meet entrance criteria.
MCPSS
Magnet Schools are built on the foundation of the five magnet pillars of
diversity, innovative curriculum and professional development, academic
excellence, high quality instructional systems, and family and community
partnerships. Our choice schools embody the belief that highly
motivated and academically focused students have interests and talents
that are better cultivated in a magnet school program. Our magnet
schools have focused themes and aligned curricula in Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Fine and Performing
Arts, and International Baccalaureate.
Diversity
is an important element of a magnet school. Students from a wide array
of cultures and backgrounds, including special education students and
English language learners, attend our magnet schools. Thus, students are
exposed to different ways of thinking and develop a stronger sense of
tolerance and a broader world view. Magnet schools make the extra effort
to create a sense of classroom and school community and to cultivate
school spirit.
The
curriculum, and the professional development that supports it, promotes
higher level cognitive thinking and uses a “hands on–minds on” approach
to learning that is inquiry or performance/project based. The magnet
schools use state and district standards in all subject areas, however,
they are taught within the overall theme of the school. The curriculum
is also clear and transparent for families so they can fully engage in
the learning of their students.
Magnet
schools are designed for academic excellence. The curriculum and
grading scales are modified from a regular program. Each grade level is
accelerated and, due to the theme focus or each school, require students
to carry a heavier academic load than non-magnet schools. The grading
scale in our magnet programs includes grades A, B, C, and E with all
averages below a 70 resulting in a failing grade by magnet standards. We use a computer-based lottery system for selection, and students must meet set entrance criteria.
For more information about our magnet schools program, call 251-221-4039 or email at magnetinfo@mcpss.com.
MCPSS Magnet Schools of Choice
COUNCIL TRADITIONAL SCHOOL, located at 751 Wilkinson Street, emphasizes accelerated academics and communications skills for approximately 700 students in grades K-5. Council Traditional School is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and provides Spanish instruction to its students at all grade levels. Council is also an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program.
EICHOLD-MERTZ SCHOOL OF MATH AND SCIENCE, located at 2815 Government Boulevard, serves approximately 600 students in grades K-5 and is an ideal learning environment for students interested in an accelerated mathematics, science, and technology curriculum. Students learn using a laboratory-based math and science curriculum. Teachers at Eichold-Mertz strive to produce curious, confident students who explore, experiment, and solve problems to ensure success in the 21st century.
OLD SHELL ROAD SCHOOL OF CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS, located at 3160 Heather Street, serves approximately 400 students in grades K-5 and emphasizes a strong academic program enhanced with dance, drama, art, and music courses. The arts are infused into academic classes to increase student achievement. It is the philosophy of Old Shell Road Magnet School that children learn in different ways and that the arts provide an additional way to help each child reach his/her potential academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Old Shell Road School for the Creative and Performing Arts was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2015.
PHILLIPS PREPARATORY, located at 3255 Old Shell Road, offers an accelerated college preparatory curriculum to approximately 700 students in grades 6-8 and is a twice-recognized National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Phillips Preparatory emphasizes communication skills, accelerated mathematics, and foreign languages. The curriculum provides opportunities for academic exploration, extension and mastery of core subjects with emphasis placed on broad-based enrichment opportunities. Phillips Preparatory implements the International Baccalaureate Middle Years program. Phillips’ curriculum is accelerated.
CLARK-SHAW SCHOOL OF MATH, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, located at 5960 Arlberg Street, serves approximately 800 students in grades 6-8 and is a twice-recognized National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Faculty and staff encourage students to learn through laboratory-based science, mathematics, and technology courses. At Clark-Shaw School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, all students participate in a culture of high expectations for academic success. Clark-Shaw’s curriculum is accelerated. Clark recently earned Cognia STEM Certification.
DENTON MAGNET SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY, located at 3800 Pleasant Valley Road, serves approximately 450 students in grades 6-8. Denton Magnet School provides a quality education that prepares students to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. It features a technology-driven curriculum that focuses on communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Mastery of specific technology tools are integrated into digital projects and assignments in core subjects. Students go beyond the use of software applications, to include exposure to algorithms, data structures and data management. Denton’s curriculum is accelerated.
DUNBAR SCHOOL OF CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS, originally located at 500 Saint Anthony Street and recently relocated to 1176 Azalea Road, serves approximately 500 students in grades 6-8 and emphasizes a strong academic curriculum with a focus on creative and performing arts. Student learning is enhanced with electives in band, strings, piano, guitar, chorus, dance, baton, art, ceramics, musical theater, and drama. Dunbar Magnet School provides students opportunities to develop skills in the creative and performing arts by providing instruction equivalent to that of private lessons. Arts-integrated instruction, project-based learning and annual recitals and performances are used to support the curriculum of Dunbar School of Creative and Performing Arts. Dunbar’s has standard grade level curriculum with advanced course offerings.
The Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies, located at 504 Government Street, will serve approximately 320 students in grades 6-9. Barton Academy was Alabama's first public school, originally constructed in 1836. The building is undergoing state-of-the-art interior renovations, and it is set to reopen its doors to students in August 2021. Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies will focus on global studies and entrepreneurship, taught through a project-based curricular approach. The Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies' accelerated curriculum will include courses on global studies, foreign languages, entrepreneurship, and fine arts to enhance its advanced core course offerings. Barton will house numerous innovative labs including collaborative, emerging technologies, and STEM labs among many additional real-world and personalized learning experiences.
Barton Academy: Public Education - Founded and Reimagined!
