Parents and citizens are encouraged to offer their thoughts in an online survey on the purpose for magnet schools and the types of magnet programs they would like to see in the Wake County Public School System.

The eight-question survey will be available online through June 1.

The questionnaire is part of a periodic review WCPSS conducts to evaluate its services. The survey, which is available in English and Spanish, is part of a large-scale effort to gather community input. WCPSS also is hosting focus groups and analyzing school-by-school data. School system staff will use all of the information to make recommendations to the Wake County Board of Education later this year. (Magnet Review Timeline)

Magnet schools offer specialized academic programs in order to attract applicants from around Wake County. The WCPSS magnet program strives to diversify schools to reduce high concentrations of poverty, as well as to maximize the use of school capacity and to provide broader educational opportunities.

Survey participants will be asked for their opinions on how magnet programs should be used, as well as their level of interest in magnet programs such as the International Baccalaureate program, Creative Arts and Sciences, and the Montessori model, or suggest new magnet programs.

WCPSS has 31 magnet schools; 14 were honored this year with merit awards from Magnet Schools of America. In 2011, Farmington Woods Elementary was named the top magnet elementary school in the nation by MSA. Many magnet programs receive grant support from the U.S. Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program.