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Jennifer,

If this is a magnet/options guide, why aren't the three schools in HP listed; the techonolgy, arts and international schools? Are Central, Andrews, and Southwest magnets or options schools now? If not, what are they?

Stormy,

Good question. The paper did say "current" but I zipped an email off to Sonya C, PR director and cc'ed the SB and T Grier. As far as I know they are still in discussion according to the last board meetings.

I did see Grimsley, Smith and Central listed for IB programs.

I did not see the Arts Magnet listed for SW, only the education academy which mention was made about dropping it.

They had discussed dropping the education strand at SW and the business strand at Central. (business strand at Central still listed) They are discussing adding a Culinary Arts program at Central that could tie in with future jobs for the furniture market.

There was also discussion at the past SB meetings whether to make Penn-G a high school arts magnet and/or keep the arts strand at SW. I didn't recall any final decision on that being discussed.

I requested that that any new programs that are added be promoted in time for the Magnet Fair in February. When the Science Academy was added to Andrews in winter 2003, many didn't even know about it. I don't believe it was even added in time for the fair that year.

There has also been confusion in the past if since the three high schools were not "magnet" programs but "focus themes". Hopefully, this will all be cleared up soon.

I would like to see updated, corrected information promoting what is actually there in time for the Magnet Fair.

The problem with discussing and adding programs now is that they are never fully thought out/funded/planned for. Why don't they decide in Sept what they want for the next year. Then they have time to add them to the literature, apply for grants/plan the program, hirer the teachers etc. They always wait until the last minute. This should be on the agenda in the early fall each year instead of Jan/Feb.

Deb,

Great suggestion as always. I guess it just makes too much common sense. But I think it has to do with their budget for July. Still they could plan earlier.

How can the N&R get such clear, legible maps? I thought they weren't available for Guilford County. Somebody "clip" it and give it to Eric H.

Debra is right (she usually is). All decisions on magnets should be made in Sept. (October at the very latest). It takes to design the program and locate staff that are interested in teaching it. Some people have complained that Dr. Grier pushes things thru at the last minute. I honestly believe if he proposed in Sept., the Board would not decide untill the last minute. The BOE is unable to nurture the staff. Everything is done at the last minute.

Joe, how nice of you! Yes, our board can't agree on some things-and others they jump way too fast, without asking enought questions. As Deena has said over and over, when the board asks for things, they should have access to the answers. If they would present options in Sept, the board could say, we are interested in ideas a, c,d, e and g-- research those in depth-- they could eliminate some options immediately, some after more details and adopt those that look promising. I don't know why we have to have so many anyway. Just my opinion. If we have schools that are magnets that can't make AYP- then the magnet option should be discontinued. The money spent on extra teachers, tools and transportation should be used to teach the basics!!! the three "r's" instead of the three "t's"

Sweet Enough,

You can thank Doug Cox, one of our talented graphic artists, for that map.

Now, if we could just get some decent information about the redistricting maps, we'd be glad to provide those, too.

Stormy, we didn't include the three HP high schools because that whole situation appears very much up in the air. Also, those programs aren't listed as high school options on the GCS Web site, so they apparently aren't advertising those programs.

debora,

Good question, but as with all things, this school board can't plan and they can't make timely decisions. One of the biggest problems that I have with this board is that they don't have any concept of organization governance. They just go whichever way the wind blows at the time. If they were a well-run organization, they would have an organizational plan that prescribes how the organizaton will be run, timelines, principles, goals, objectives, etc. But, then it's not really a well-run organization, is it? They have no guiding principles, and that is why they are flopping around all of the time.

Bruce, et al,

I hope they do decide on the HP programs, open them up to the ENTIRE county (or at least the western half) like the other magnets and advertise them. Empty seats gone at Central and Andrews if they do even exist.

They never even promoted or advertised the Academy at Andrews in 2003. I had a neighbor who said his son might have gone if he had know about the free college tuition attached at that time.

Communication is the key.

Filling any seats could be simple.

Bruce or Jennifer,

What is a 9th grade academy?
How are they working and were are they now?

Frank,

Here is info direct from the Andrews' website:

This year, Andrews introduces the Freshman Academy , an initiative based on the Talent Development High School model from John Hopkins University . Select entering freshmen will be double dosed in math and English to better equip them to enter the rigorous advanced academies starting in the 10th grade. All entering freshmen will enroll in Freshmen Seminar. This class teaches a variety of high school pertinent skills such as note taking, reading strategies, resume development, conflict resolution, and time management. The introduction of these initiatives will create sophomores who are ready for the challenge of the higher classes.

And Stormy,

Can you elaborate on what "higher classes" that Andrews offers. And what "rigorous advanced academies" do they have starting in the 10th grade.

I know you are not the spokesperson for Andrews, but for two years now I have been trying to figure out just exactly what specialized programs are really at Andrews.

Don't they also have some program that gives some certification certificate?

Is this all just a bunch of crap for a brochure or is there really anything "world-class" over there?

clueless,

Since you asked, here is the info direct form the Andrews' website. I take no responsibility for its accuracy or validity.

Building upon the foundation and standards set by previous classes, Andrews boldly steps into the future as the Center for Research and Technology. The academic bar has been raised by combining traditional core classes with new advanced technology classes. Andrews students will lead the way in the high competitive world of Information Technology, Engineering, and Biomedical Technologies. The 2005-2006 year promises to be even more exciting with the advent of the John Hopkins inspired “Talent Development High School” plan which forms small learning communities within the school to meet the needs of all students.

Center for Research and Technology

The Center for Advanced Research and Technology is a comprehensive, state-of-the-art education program combining rigorous academics with technical, design, process, entrepreneurial, and critical thinking skills. On campus career-specific laboratories, designed to replicate high performance business atmospheres, in conjunction with a comprehensive cross-curricular program, enables students to complete industry-based projects and get a jumpstart on reaching future career and secondary education goals.

Collaboration with businesses, community agencies, and local colleges and universities is an integral component of the program in order to provide a project-based environment that is both academically rigorous, and facilitated through a hands-on based instructional model. Through learning plans, individualized attention, and a coordinated sequence of projects, students explore the variety of ways they can meet their individual goals. Working with business partners, teachers, and parents, students design a program of study that qualifies them to pursue the post-secondary path that ranges from entry-level positions in meaningful employment opportunities, to industry certification, to university admission. With the knowledge, skills, and support they receive, students leave the Center ready to complete a lifetime of learning.

The Center for Advanced Research and Technology offers three areas of study (clusters): Advanced Information Technology, Advanced Engineering Technology, and Professional Sciences. Each of these three clusters offer students College Preparatory and College Tech Prep graduation status. Students in certain areas of the clusters will have internships in neighboring businesses and have the opportunity to continue their education after high school with free tuition at Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) or by applying to a four-year college or university. Advanced Research and Technology strands include: Network Administration and Support Concentration, Engineering Technologies, Telecommunications and Network Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering/Construction Technology, and Health Sciences.

Andrews also offers the Early Colleg of Health Sciences. Here students are introduced to a vast field of health careers comprised of numerous health care professions including nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, medical assisting, radiological technology, and health information management. Students participate in a rigorous academic program with unique community partnerships to help students graduate from high school, go on to college and become competitive applicants to health professional schools. Up to 40 students participating in the Academy of Health Sciences will enroll in college during their senior year and have the first year of college tuition paid for through district and community scholarships. In addition, the students will have the opportunity to compete for scholarships, which will support the next three years of their college education.

I have heard that Northeast and Grimsley
also have freshmen academies.

Does anyone have any input into how these are working?

Thank you Stormy.

These questions are for anyone that knows: So, if it's on the website, does that mean it's a reality? I have not heard of any "unique community partnerships" and who are the "neighboring businesses" offering internships? And has anyone actually seen the "Campus career-specific laboratories"? I'm not being sarcastic, although I could be. I really would like to know if Andrews is offering all that their website boasts.

I know of many students that would love such specialized education in these technology strands but I fear that that they don't truly exist.

Biomedical Technologies? Engineering? Does anyone know of any students participating in these "comprehensive, state-of-the-art, rigorous programs."

I'm in the market for a High school that honestly does offer these programs.

Frank,

I don't believe Grimsley has a freshman academy. Parents did not want one there and the idea was dropped back in March. I haven't heard anything else about one there since then.

Last year, Northeast, High Point Central and Smith all had some form of freshman academy. At one point Dudley separated out freshmen, but I'm not sure if they still do.

Several other high schools, including Western, were looking at forming such academies. I don't know which ones decided to do so this year. I'll see if I can find out for you.