Middle School Teaching Units

Every school district must strive for excellence. Orlando Schools are no exception. From Magnet Schools to new bus mufflers, from backpacks to free or reduced lunches, the Orlando Schools system is working to continuously improve itself.

BACKPACKS: The S.T.A.R.S. program (Supplies To Assist Our Students) is the only program that provides backpacks and basic school supplies to elementary, middle and high school students in Orlando Public Schools in West Orange County. Students will have the tools they need the first day of school. The goal of S.T.A.R.S. is to coordinate community based and individual efforts to efficiently and effectively assist Orlando Schools students in need so every child who needs a backpack gets one.

FREE/REDUCED LUNCHES: The Orlando Schools district is accepting applications from families who want to qualify for free or reduced-price meals for their children.

Applications are available at all schools. Orlando Schools families must complete the application and return it to the school their child will attend. For more than one child, one application may be used for all, and it may be returned to any school one of the children will attend. To qualify, families must be at 200% below the poverty level.

MAGNET SCHOOLS: Magnet programs have been established at Orlando Schools elementary, middle and high schools to provide an opportunity for students to engage in intensive study in specific areas. Orlando Schools magnet programs offer the opportunity for students to discover their talents and explore their interests while focusing on strong academic excellence. The programs are designated to attract students from across the district with transportation provided for elementary and middle school students, who reside in specified areas.

Orlando Schools grades 9-12 magnet programs provide unique personalized learning communities. These programs of study Continue Reading

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Children throughout Tampa wake up each Monday through Friday and head out to school, lunch and books in hand. While they may bemoan another day filled with reading, writing and arithmetic, they are receiving their education from one of the highest ranked school districts in the state.

Hillsborough County School District has a policy of offering a dynamic cross-section of schooling options because they understand that a “one size fits all” education doesn’t coalesce with their community. These include Walton Academy of the Performing Arts and two teen parent schools. Among the public schooling options are magnet and charter schools.

Magnet Schools

Magnet schools offer students a more exploratory education. Students must show a strong interest in the field of study of their chosen magnet school in order to be considered for enrollment. Even though magnet schools educate studies concentrated in a specific field, they are funded by the state and school district and must adhere to the performance standards just like traditional public schools. Most students of magnet schools go on to complete post-secondary education in their field of study. Magnet schools, listed with their field of study, in the New Tampa area include: Cahoon Elementary, Animal Science

Dunbar Elementary, Math/Science/Technology

Lee Elementary, World Studies

Lincoln Elementary, International Studies/International Baccalaureate

Lockhart Elementary, Foreign Language & Global Studies; Visual/Performing/Communication Arts

Lomax Elementary, Math/Science/Technology

MacFarlane International Studies/International Baccalaureate

Muller Elementary, Environmental Studies; Visual/Performing/Communication Arts

Philip Shore Elementary, Visual/Performing/Communication Arts

Rampello Kindergarten through 8, Cultural Arts & Continue Reading

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]]> http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/tampa-schools/feed/ 0 Magnets in the St. Louis Schools http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/magnets-in-the-st-louis-schools/ http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/magnets-in-the-st-louis-schools/#comments Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:40:38 +0000 admin http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/magnets-in-the-st-louis-schools/

Just like any other big city the St. Louis Schools in Missouri have some challenges in educating the city’s youngest population. Religious and private schools are an option for many. The public St. Louis Public Schools don’t have the best reputation. Charter schools and magnet schools are both alternatives to the traditional model of St. Louis Schools.

St. Louis Schools offer charters, independently run institutions, as one version of school choice. The problem with charter schools anywhere is that you never know what you’re going to get. Various local and national organizations run charter schools, and their success rates have been all over the board. I’d recommend that any parent looking at a charter in the St. Louis Schools only do so if it already has a good success rate, or you know families who are happy with it.

How are Magnet Schools Different from Charter Schools?

St. Louis Schools also has a wide spread magnet program. A magnet school is one with a specific focus like math and science, or language immersion. It’s common for a magnet school to be housed inside a larger school, but they can also be independent. Unlike a charter school, a St. Louis Schools magnet is fully part of the public education system and must abide by all the same rules. While this does mean some consistency, it also means some challenges.

The other difference is that students are accepted in a St. Louis Schools magnet by a lottery system. There are some groups that get preferences: continuity with another school, siblings who attend, and neighborhood kids are the top three. This can cause some problems as students clamor to get into the most popular St. Louis Schools magnet programs.

One of the biggest benefits to the St. Louis Schools magnet programs is that you tend to get a high level of parent involvement because parents have to take action to get their children into Continue Reading

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