Magnet school applications not pouring in
Max Oden /
Ally Skinner, right, and Keiaria Stewart, left, both fifth graders at Montana Street Magnet School, practice piano in their music class Wednesday afternoon.
Despite an increased opportunity to get their children accepted into magnet schools, parents aren’t quite applying to the schools in the droves which Dothan City Schools officials expected.
In June 2008, the Dothan City School Board established Heard Elementary School and Beverlye Middle School as magnet schools. The addition of these two schools to Montana Magnet School and Carver Magnet School created an unprecedented number of openings at the two schools. About 1,100 spots are open at the city’s elementary and middle magnet schools.
Ted Hall, director of management information services, originally estimated the magnet schools would be receiving 1,200 to 1,600 applications. On Wednesday, Hall said the city schools are near the low end of that estimate.
Sam Nichols, Dothan City Schools superintendent, said applications were about even between Montana and Heard. Nichols said Beverlye had a slight edge over Carver in applications.
Sue Clark, Montana Street Elementary School principal, said she is amazed more parents aren’t applying.
“What I want them to know is that if they ever thought about applying to magnet school, this is the year,” she said. “The chances are greater that they’ll get in.”
The initial application period for the magnet schools ends on Feb. 27. After that period, parents will be informed in mid-March whether their children were accepted. After March 1, a late application period will open for any spots that may remain because of declined invitations or other reasons.
Parents can pick up applications for magnet school at any Dothan City School, but the applications must be turned in to the city schools’ central office at 500 Dusy St.
The city’s magnet schools offer a more rigorous academic and disciplinary plan and more enrichment programs than typical schools.
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Reader Reactions
In reference to magnets schools, based on experience I agree there are racial issues with the enrollement ratio, however, I don’t believe a magnet school is any different than any other public school educator. At any public school wheather it be magnet or not a student will have to learn at the level of the lowest learning student, therefore, a student may not be fully educated at the grade level they are being passed.
As far as GM and Citibank goes, I have confidence they will meet there own doom as consumers won’t do business with them. The unethical practices of these institutions led them down the path they ended on. They should not have been bailed out. WHO should have been given money was the taxpayers. Corruption at every turn…
I read a report where a 70 year old man lost all his savings. Where is his redemption? He now has nothing and works at a local grocery store as a greeter making 10 bucks an hour.
On finances, a man/woman can change this factor throughout his/her life. Its about hard work, dedication, determination, and maybe somewhat intelligence.
I look at the life of Thomas Edison (who was homeschooled). But his intelligence played a little role in his success. IT was the fact he worked 20 hours or more at a time. And he failed time and time again BUT he didn’t stop because he knew that eventually he would get that light bulb to come on. Determination and hard work is why we can enjoy the light bulb and many other contributions the man made.
So my point is EVERY PERSON can accomplish what he/she wants to it may take hours of sleepless nights, being told “no” time and again, and having to endure criticism, BUT eventually success will be on the horizon.
What will make it easier for mankind? If WE decide to wake up and realize that race should not be a factor in success.
123, I guess its time for me to do a total reversal of some of the things i said. I didnt want to word it this way because some will take it as racial. Fact is your right and race or sex should not be considered as factors for public funding.But thats not the way it is in the real world. Blacks, poor and minorities are favored and will continue to be. Its a robin hood society, take form the rich and give to the poor.I also dont believe its right to tax a higher percentage of a mans wages if he makes a million a yr verses a man that makes 10k.The unearned income credit is redistribution from the rich to the poor. I’m poor so i can say this.There should not be double standards . Then on the other hand i dont agree with the federal government bailing out companies like GM and Citibank.
I think race should be taken out of the equation altogether regarding the government. If all men are created “equal”, then why are government funded institutions using race as a factor.
Race does play a factor in schools thats for sure. Since brown v. board of education , race has been a driving force.Of course you cant deny admittance into a school if they are black .You can only be denied admittance if your white and then only if the ratio is out of balance or the classes are full. I call it reverse affirmative action. In reality its discrimination against whites .
And race plays a huge factor in everything we do in this life by the way. From college grants, loans, mortgages, and any other government funding. This is my argument. If I’m American Indian, then I can open a business or go to college quicker than any other race here in America using government programs. Now what do you call this?
mrhunter,
Race does play a factor in the application process for these so called *magnet schools. Therefore having to accept a certain percentage of of one race and not the other. And this leads to exclusion in turn being unconstitutional since it is a public facility.
123, I think we’re all in agreement that race isnt a factor in these schools. What point were you making in your last post?
The race factor has to end. We can’t continue to call people out on their race. Its too much of a double standard.
I can’t help what race I’m born in to. How can that change?
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