Enrollment is now underway for four new magnet high schools in Tulsa. The new or expanded offerings are the result of nearly $12 million in federal grants that were awarded to Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) in October, the most grant money ever received by a single school district. The four schools include Central Academy of Fine Arts, McLain High School for Science and Technology, Hale High School of Restaurant, Lodging and Health Management and Webster High School of Broadcast, Digital Media and Marketing.
“The grant for the magnet schools is meant to achieve three goals,” said Janice Bayouth, director of magnet schools, “to reduce minority isolation, to increase diversity and to decrease class size to 20 students per teacher.”
The schools will have various strands of study, similar to college majors. For example, students at Webster may choose Digital Media and Broadcasting, Journalism, Marketing & Graphic Design, or Information Technology. At Central, they may specialize in Visual Art, Arts Production & Management, Theater & Dance Interpretation, or Vocal/Instrumental Music. Hale, in partnership with Oklahoma State University, will provide a specialty in Health and Human Performance where students learn how to make and present gourmet foods and also learn how food molecules impact the body and how it heals. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn about all aspects of management and operations in the hospitality industry. McLain will prepare students for careers in Aerospace, Avionics & Robotics; Aeronautics, Aeronautics & Aviation Maintenance Technology, Materials Science, Wave Mechanics or Environmental, Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences.
Shelonda Hawkins, magnet school recruiter for TPS, believes that the career-oriented, hands-on programs will help keep kids in school. “I do think it’s going to motivate them to go to school and stay in school,” said Hawkins. “Similar schools in places like Dallas and Houston have shown that test scores rise and the drop-out rate drops.”
While students at the schools will graduate with a career path after high school, students will also be well-prepared to continue their education either in college or with technical training.
“We believe that these magnet programs will raise the graduation rate and encourage kids to go on to college,” said Bayouth. “All students will be taking all the core classes necessary to graduate. In addition, they’ll have the special training as part of the magnet program, and all seniors will be doing 400 hours of paid internships.”
Bayouth is enthusiastic about the community support for the schools, from colleges and universities such as TCC, OU, OSU, to community leaders, businesses and Career Tech. “Everybody’s getting on board,” she said. “It will help bring businesses to Tulsa, too.”
Any student in the Tulsa Public Schools district and in surrounding communities outside the district are eligible to apply. Students accepted into any of the four magnet schools will also be guaranteed transportation to that school. According to Bayouth, they will also be able to continue to play sports.
Students who wish to stay where they are and attend their neighborhood school may also do so. “There’s a plan for everyone,” said Bayouth.
The deadline for applying to the four new magnet schools has been extended. Parents or students may visit the TPS Web site at www.tulsaschools.org to read more about each school, or to apply online. Applications are also available at the schools, or at the Education Service Center Transfer Office, located at 3027 S. New Haven. A Magnet School Resources Room with a film and added information about the four schools is also available at the Service Center. To make an appointment to visit the Resources Room or for more information about the schools, call Shelonda, magnet schools recruiter, at 746-6513.
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