This article will help you better understand what magnet schools are and their role in your family's education. We'll first introduce the concept of a magnet school. Then, we'll go over the function of magnet schools and how those functions have changed over the years. After that, we'll share some basic facts about magnet schools as well as go over the pros and cons of magnet schools. Finally, we'll end the article by discussing whether a magnet school is right for your family and how to increase your chances of getting your child into a magnet school.
What is a Magnet School?
Unlike charter or private schools, a magnet school is part of the local public school system. At regular public schools, students are generally zoned into their schools based on their home location - students go to the nearest school where they live. However, this may not always be true since boundaries can seem arbitrary, and in some smaller towns, schools are not zoned at all. But, magnet schools exist outside of zoned school boundaries. Private schools are separate from local public school districts, and charter schools are public schools with private oversight. Still, magnet schools remain part of the public school system and operate under the same administration and school board.
This video explains how magnet schools differ from charter schools.
According to the Magnet Schools of America, the unique quality
