LOCAL

Feb. 13 is deadline to apply for Alachua County School District magnet programs

Voleer Thomas
Correspondent

The deadline is Feb. 13 for Alachua County students in pre-kindergarten through 10-grade to apply for academic and career-technical education (CTE) magnet programs offered by the Alachua County School District.

"The magnet programs are for students who have an interest in things like auto technology, finances, health and more," said Kim Neal, director of the district's Full Time Equivalent and State Reporting Office. "It can help assist with their college pathway."

Magnet program applications can be found at www.sbac.edu/magnet, and a list of all of the magnet programs offered can also be found on the site. The application process allows students and their parents to apply for more than one magnet program on a single application, Neal said, adding that hard copy applications are available at schools.

There will be open houses for all magnet programs and the times and locations for them can be found on the website.

Magnet programs offered by the district provide a great opportunity for students to prepare early for life after high school, said Diyonne McGraw, chair of the Alachua County School Board.

Magnet programsApply now to magnet, career tech programs

"Our magnet programs allows students from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds take advantage of learning skills that can lead them into careers that will help them be able to live productive lives," McGraw said.

All of the magnet programs focus on different topics of interest, Neal said.

This year 50% of the new students in each magnet program will be chosen through a district-wide lottery, and the other 50% will be selected by schools, according the district's website.

Tudorel Tomlin, right, explains growing methods to Rachel Stimler, left, program director with the Education Foundation of Alachua County Public Schools while touring the new greenhouses established for students as part of an initiative at the Professional Academy Magnet at Loften High School called the Alachua County Farm to School Work Hub. The deadline this year will be Feb. 13 to apply for magnet programs within the Alachua County Public School District. (Gainesville Sun file photo by Erica Brough) (Credit: Erica Brough, Erica Brough/The Gainesville Sun)

Students must meet academic, attendance and disciplinary criteria to be eligible for each magnet program and must also meet program standards to remain enrolled.

Neal encourages families to attend the open house of the student’s interest to meet with faculty and staff directly.

“Families can get a feel there when they meet with teachers and administrators,” Neal said.