WCPS Magnet Programs General Information

GOALS  Review continuum of services for advanced learners.  Review magnet programs.  Discuss critical dates for the application process.

Elementary School Programs  Co-curricular Activities  Elementary Enrichment Placements are made based on student data and teacher recommendations.  Elementary Magnet Programs Competitive application process  Signature Programs

Enrichment Teacher Services: Math and language arts/reading (grades 3-5) Service delivery through Pull-out Push-in (cluster and flexible groupings) Co-teaching Co-Curricular Activities: Chess Clubs Destination Imagination Geography Bee Math 24 Game Stock Market Game Elementary School Programs

Elementary Signature Programs Foreign Language Programs:  Bester Elementary  Boonsboro Elementary  Greenbrier Elementary  Paramount Elementary  Pleasant Valley Elementary  Sharpsburg Elementary  Smithsburg Elementary

Elementary Magnet Programs Grades 2 through 5  Boonsboro Elementary Magnet Program for World Languages and Global Communication  Emma K. Doub Elementary Magnet Program for Integrated Arts and Technology  Fountaindale Elementary Magnet Program for the Arts and Academic Excellence  Williamsport Elementary Magnet Program for Math, Science, and Technology

Middle School Programs  Merit Classes in English, math, science, and social studies Placements made based on student data and teacher recommendations  Middle School Magnet Programs Competitive application process

Middle School Magnet Programs Grades 6 and 7  Boonsboro Middle School Magnet Program for World Languages and Global Communication  E. Russell Hicks Middle School Magnet Program for Media Technology, Humanities, and Communications  Springfield Middle School Magnet Program for Math, Science, and Technology

High School Choices  WCPS Career Academies  Advanced Placement Courses  International Baccalaureate Programme  North Hagerstown High School (2006)  Barbara Ingram School for the Arts( fall 2009)  Washington County Technical High  Williamsport High School  9 th grade Program—fall 2008  STEM Grant Program--Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

WCPS Enrichment/Merit and Magnet Programs What’s alike?  WCPS curriculum and benchmark assessments  Maryland State Assessment and Voluntary State Curriculum  Differentiation  High academic expectations  Acceleration of content  Opportunities for enrichment What’s different?  Curriculum compacting  Specialized elective courses  Interdisciplinary focus and integration of school- wide theme  Co-curricular enrichment activities and projects  Teacher recruitment, selection, and professional development

Each magnet program is part of the school as a whole.  Magnet teachers work closely with grade level and content area teachers on the integration of signature theme  Magnet students participate in school-wide and co-curricular activities relevant to the school’s signature theme.  Magnet parents support school-wide efforts to improve learning for all children.

Application Processes  Applications for each school will be posted online after October 20,  Application, parent questionnaire, testing information, interview, other required documentation.  A student may apply to one school only.  Several sources are reviewed: application, grades, non-verbal ability test results, parent responses, reading benchmarks, reading level, math benchmarks, MSA data, student interview and task, teacher perception data

Application Processes: Magnet Assessment Dates  November 15, Early Testing Date  December 13, Assigned Testing Date  January 10, Make-up Testing Date

Application Processes: Magnet Assessment Dates  Testing will be held on Saturday mornings. Early testing is available in November. Please call to schedule. Spaces and times are limited. December testing will be scheduled for you. Students will be assigned a testing time, which may not be changed unless there is an emergency.  Students will not be retested. If your child is ill on the day of the test, please call to reschedule for the January 10 th date (make-up testing). There will be a limited number of spaces available on the make- up testing dates.

Application Processes: Student Interviews  Scheduled at the magnet school level.  Require a task completion by the child.

Application Processes: Critical Reminders  Work with your child to select a theme that is a match for his/her interests and talents.  Be prompt for your testing appointment.  Adhere to application due dates: First Round: December 15, 2008 Final Round: April 20, 2009  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Students may apply to one school only.