Hi Reader,

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CMS Magnet School Updates

CMS released its final draft of magnet school changes. Most of the suggestions remain the same, but the changes they did suggest could have a big impact on students. I'll use this email to share some of the big changes with a focus on elementary schools.

If you want to see this for yourself, you can watch the board meeting here (starts at 1:09:00 timestamp) or respond to this email and I'll send you the official document outlining the changes.

So What's Happening?

The following elementary magnet themes will remain the same:

• STEM / STEAM (general)
• Montessori
• World Languages (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)

The following elementary magnet programs will leave:

• Leadership
• STEM (computer science). The computer science is being phased out because the state of North Carolina now requires technology curriculum that mirrored this magnet.

The following elementary magnet programs will merge:

• LI / TD (gifted) and IB (international baccalaureate). I spoke with the magnet office, they told me they aren't 100% sure how the final model will look. But they believe the IB program will run school wide with an option for students to join the more rigorous LI/TD program.

Specific School Updates:

• Statesville Road Elementary will remain in the magnet program as an IB + LI/TD school
• Grove Park Elementary will join the magnet program as a STEM school
• University Park Creative Arts will be the only elementary school in the Visual & Performing Arts program. It will be a full magnet (previously elementary was a partial magnet with a mix of neighborhood & lottery students)- signaling improvements to the program
• Ballantyne Ridge High School will no longer offer magnet programs due to projected population growth in the area

Students Can Stay Where They Are:

The plan clarified that students can stay in their current school. Transportation may be impacted, but students will not be forced out of the magnet program.

Feeder Schools:

This is the part families are watching most closely! The term "feeder schools" describes the pathway from elementary to middle to high school. One of the things the district wants to do is to solidify the guarantee students can stay on their feeder path. With population growth this has been a harder promise to keep.

CMS updated the feeder track of quite a few schools. A picture describes it best! Look at the images below to see feeder tracks for STEM Schools, World Language Schools, and the IB + LI/TD merger. I did not include a picture for Montessori schools since they will stay on their current feeder path.

So what do you think?

There's a short window to share feedback on this plan before the school board votes on it. If you have feelings (good or bad!) I highly encourage you to reach out to your school board rep. Keep in mind, positive feedback is a good thing too- the squeaky wheel gets the grease!

Upcoming Dates:

• May 12: Public Hearing (so reach out ASAP! That's next week 😮‍💨)
• May 26: Board of Ed. Votes. If approved, changes will take occur in the 2027-28 school year.

Was this email helpful to you? Say thanks by buying me a coffee​

If you want a copy of the PDF with all the outlined changes, just respond to this email!

Have a wonderful week...and let me know what you think!