We are blessed to receive tax-funded public education in the U.S. Literacy is a gift whose praises cannot be stressed enough. And in addition to the option of a family’s zoned or neighborhood school, there’s a growing trend to have other options for schools. These are sometimes called magnet schools; in the Midlands, they’re more commonly known as “school of choice.”
Sometimes a school of choice may involve one curriculum for the entire student body. Other times it’s a smaller program housed in a traditional school; students benefit from a small learning community while enjoying the advantages of a larger facility. Some schools of choice have a specific academic focus — languages, science, the arts — while others adapt an instructional method such as Montessori or inquiry-based learning. And still others, mostly for older students, help students focus on the careers they’ll have once they leave the classroom. For the students — and their families — who want a specific type of learning experience, it’s a priceless opportunity.
In most school districts, January is the time to apply for school of choice programs for the following academic year, though this varies by district and by school. So if you’re interested in sending your child to a school of choice for 2015-16, now’s the time to learn about your options.
Note on magnet schools: Sudents already living within the school’s geographical region usually have preference. Then additional spaces are offered to other students in the district. Some schools have additional requirements to get in, such as academic achievement.
Richland 1:
Elementary Schools:
- Carolina School for Inquiry: Students learn by doing in multi-age classrooms, using an inquiry-based curriculum that lets them explore diverse interests.
- Montessori programs at Brockman Elementary, Caughman Road Elementary, Gadsden Elementary, Logan Elementary. Geographic requirements; see the district’s Montessori page for more information.
Middle and High Schools:
- Montessori program at W.G. Sanders Middle. Students must have been enrolled in an elementary Montessori program.
- Richland One Middle College: A dual-enrollment high school, which offers high school students an opportunity to take courses from Midlands Tech for credit in both high school and college… for FREE.
Richland 2:
Any Rich 2 student may apply to the district’s magnets, though some have special guidelines for acceptance. Rich 2 offers 35+ magnet programs, by far the most for any district. The application process begins online today and continues through January 30. For information about each program, visit its website or attend an info session at the school.
Elementary Schools:
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Academy for Civic Engagement (ACE) at Nelson Elementary
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Academy of Language Immersion at Polo Road Elementary
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Center for Achievement (CFA) on the Kelly Mill Middle School Campus
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Center for Inquiry (CFI) on the Summit Parkway School Campus
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Center for Knowledge (CFK) on the E.L. Wright Middle School Campus
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Center for Knowledge North (CFK North) on the Muller Road Middle School Campus
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eFIT Academy (Environmental Fitness Academy) at Rice Creek Elementary
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Elementary Learning Collaborative (eLc) at Forest Lake Elementary
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Elementary Montessori at Pontiac Elementary
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International Baccalaureate World School for the Primary Years Programme at Windsor Elementary
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NASA Explorer School (NES) at Forest Lake Elementary
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Primary Montessori at Pontiac Elementary
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School of Entrepreneurial Leadership (SEL) at Joseph Keels Elementary
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Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics School (STEMS) at North Springs Elementary
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STEAM Leadership Academy (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) at Killian Elementary
Middle Schools:
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Academy of Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine at Summit Parkway Middle School
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Center for Accelerated Preparation (CAP) on the Richland Northeast High School Campus
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International Baccalaureate Candidate School for the Middle Years Programme at E.L. Wright Middle
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Fine Arts Media Literacy Program (FAME) at Dent Middle
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Kelly Mill, Inc. at Kelly Mill Middle
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Leadership Academy at Muller Road Middle
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Leadership Academy at Wright (LAW) at E.L. Wright Middle
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The Learning Collaborative (TLC) at Dent Middle
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The School for Zoological and Botanical Studies (ZooBot) at Longleaf Middle
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Longleaf Engineering Arts Program (LEAP) at Longleaf Middle
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STEM Institute of Design and Innovation (SIDI) at Summit Parkway Middle
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TWO Academies: Single Gender Program at Dent Middle
High Schools:
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Convergence Media (CavPlex) at Richland Northeast High – Soon to be merged with iLINK as iMedia
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Discovery at Spring Valley High
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Explorations at Spring Valley High
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Horizon at Richland Northeast High
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iLINK at Richland Northeast High – Soon to be merged with Convergence Media as iMedia
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International Baccalaureate School for the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme at Richland Northeast High
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Institute of Research Engagement and Design (iRED) at Westwood High
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Institute for Allied Health Sciences at Ridge View High
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Institute for BioHealth Sciences at Ridge View High
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Palmetto Center for the Arts (PCA) at Richland Northeast High
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The Scholars Academy at Ridge View High
Alternative Schools:
- Anna Boyd School
- Blythewood Academy
Charter School:
- Richland Two Charter High School: A “blended virtual high school,” with classes taken online. Tests are taken at the school, and students can work with teachers and tutors for one-to-one help.
Lexington/Richland 5:
Any Lex/Rich 5 student may apply to their magnet, though some have special guidelines for acceptance. There are 10 magnets schools within this district. Learn more about each program at an information fair on Thursday, January 8 at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
Elementary Schools:
- Academy of Environmental Sciences at Dutch Fork Elementary
- Escolares Academy at Harbison West Elementary (must have academic qualifications for this program)
- The Leader in Me at H.E. Corley Elementary
- Leaphart Engineering Arts Program at Leaphart Elementary
- MEDIA Magnet at Seven Oaks Elementary
Middle and High Schools:
- An International Academic Magnet at Irmo Middle
- Engineering Academy at Spring Hill High
- Entertainment Academy at Spring Hill High
- Entrepreneurial Academy at Spring Hill High
- Environmental Academy at Spring Hill High
- Exercise Science Academy at Spring Hill High
- International School for the Arts at Irmo High
- International Baccalaureate Program at Irmo High
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) at Dutch Fork High
Lexington 1:
Lexington 1 offers its students language immersion opportunities including Mandarin, German, Spanish, and French. Programs in Arabic and Hindi, among others, are planned.
Elementary Schools:
Information sessions begin this week. Registration begins in late January.
- Deerfield Elementary (German immersion)
- Gilbert Primary (Spanish immersion)
- Meadow Glen Elementary (Mandarin immersion)
- Midway Elementary (French immersion)
- Pleasant Hill Elementary (Spanish immersion)
- Red Bank Elementary (Spanish immersion)
High Schools:
- Advanced Agribusiness Research at Pelion High
- Advanced STEM Studies at Lexington Technical Center
- Law and Global Policy Development at River Bluff High
- Media Arts, Design, and Production at River Bluff High
- Public Health and Advanced Medical Studies at White Knoll High
- Sustainable Solutions at Gilbert High
- World Studies and International Business at Lexington High
Lexington 2:
Lexington 2 has “partial school of choice.” Applications will be accepted beginning January 21.
- Oasis Academy at Brookland-Cayce Grammar School #1 (academic qualifications)
- Saluda River Academy for the Arts
Kershaw:
- Applied Technology Educational Campus, for high school students.
No matter what type of education is best for your family, there are MANY different options for education in the Midlands. Best of luck in your family’s education!
Will you consider schools of choice for your child next year? Share your story in the comments.