Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is hosting its annual Magnet School Showcase on Saturday, October 31.
Magnet schools offer specialized curriculum on subjects like STEM, performing arts, world languages, health sciences, and more in addition to their standard grade level content. Students interested in pursuing a future in a particular field are able to apply to attend a magnet school even if it’s outside their residential zone.
WS/FCS wants to empower students and families to choose schools where they can flourish. Events like the upcoming showcase help students and their families navigate the application process and identify what schools can best meet their needs and help them complete their goals.
But which magnet program is right for you or your student? Here are just a few of the district’s best options:
Atkins High School is an NC STEM Model School where students can choose between different majors like biotechnology, engineering, digital arts, and game design. Students at Atkins appreciate that their classes support their career development in high-demand fields, as well as the wide variety of fine arts programs and school clubs they have access to.
Diggs-Latham Elementary School not only provides students with lots of arts programming through musicals, guest performances, and practice with local artisans, but they also integrate the arts into core subject lessons whenever possible. Energy is always high around the school thanks to some new project or experiment.
Hanes Magnet School is a STEAM magnet school, balancing an arts program with band, orchestra, chorus, and visual arts opportunities alongside hands-on engineering programming in fields like 3D printing, computer coding, and robotics. They pride themselves on their working relationship with local employers who lead the charge in practical technological development.
John F. Kennedy High School focuses on career and technical education with career pathways in culinary arts, pharmacy tech, masonry, HVAC, and more. JFK Scholars earn college credits, industry certifications, and internships to prepare them for their careers, and some even graduate with positions in local businesses already lined up.
Konnoak Elementary School promotes active, inquiry-driven learning through the primary years version of the International Baccalaureate program. They seek to educate the whole child by building a globally minded and inclusive school culture, and they also recently introduced a dual language immersion option.
North Forsyth High School is the district’s premier campus for scholars interested in health sciences. They offer college-ready coursework for aspiring paramedics, physical therapists, veterinarian assistants, athletic trainers, and more, and their strong relationship with local emergency and health services creates many unique hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Paisley Magnet School utilizes the middle grades edition of the International Baccalaureate program, which promotes practical education through project-based learning and lessons that connect course content to real world events. Paisley graduates enter high school with five high school course credits already earned thanks to their rigorous academic standards.
Parkland High School carries the high school International Baccalaureate program, meaning their scholars get to analyze the world together through a critical lens while preparing for careers that will allow them to build up their communities. Their annual innovation fairs are showcases of young people creating plans to actively shape the future.
RJ Reynolds High School teaches students to tell their stories through visual arts, dance, music, drama, and more based on their philosophy that art is a form of literacy that promotes a greater understanding of the world. The school is home to the legendary RJ Reynolds Auditorium, a Winston-Salem performing arts landmark that has stood for over a century.
Speas Global Elementary School boasts the primary school version of the International Baccalaureate, and it’s also a dual language immersion school. Scholars at Speas can be taught in both English and Spanish as early as kindergarten, setting them up for a future of fluency and giving them ample exposure to international history and culture.
These are only a few of the amazing opportunities WS/FCS students have to focus their curriculum through magnet school programming, so make sure to come out to this month’s magnet event to speak more with the district’s magnet educators and see what their programs can do for you!
The Magnet School Showcase is on Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, located at 569 Fairgrounds Boulevard in Winston-Salem. Parking is free at Gate 7 off Shorefair Drive.