Victoria Lorusso

S tamford's magnet schools offer educational choices to parents through innovative programs of theme-based instruction. While the programs at the magnet schools are described briefly here, more details on each program are available from the individual schools.

There are 12 elementary schools in Stamford. Four of these schools - Hart, International School at Rogers Magnet, Toquam and Westover - are magnet schools. These schools enroll students from all parts of Stamford by a lottery process. The other eight elementary schools enroll students based on residence.

There are also 5 middle schools in Stamford. One of these schools - Scofield - is a magnet school. This school enrolls students from the 4 middle schools by a lottery process.

Out of the three Stamford high schools, AITE (Academy of Information Technology & Engineering) is an Interdistrict Magnet High School attracting students not only from Stamford but also from the surrounding towns and communities.

Read on to see frequently asked questions about these programs.

Here you can find the answers to some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Stamford's Magnet Schools, Admission procedures, and Lottery process.

• 1. What is the purpose of the Magnet Schools?
  By Stamford Board of Education policy, the magnet schools exist to help the school district manage enrollment, balance and to provide educational choices for parents.
• 2. What is the difference between Magnet and Districted schools?
  The magnet schools enroll students from all parts of Stamford; the districted schools enroll students from designated attendance areas. All magnet and districted schools implement a state mandated curriculum and teach to the CT State Standards in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, and Physical Education.
• 3. How do students apply to the magnet schools?
  A parent applies for admission to the magnet school(s) by completing an application provided at orientation meetings held at the magnet schools. The Research Office manages the application process.
  
  Parents may apply to one or more magnet schools but are required to rank their choices. Admission to each of the magnet schools is treated independently. A child receives a lottery number for each of the magnet schools for which an application is made. A lottery number will either admit a student to a magnet school or place the student on a waiting list. Once a parent accepts a seat in a magnet school, the child's name will be withdrawn from the waiting lists of other magnet schools to which he/she applied.
• Timeline for applications?
  All applications for the 2009-10 school year are due by 4:00 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2009. Applications are available at the magnet schools at the orientation meetings. Completed applications should be returned to the magnet schools. Within three weeks of parents' filing magnet applications, the Research and Evaluation Office mails letters home to parents to let them know that their applications have been received.
  
  For the Elementary Magnet Schools:
  
  On Tuesday, March 24, 2009 lottery numbers will be drawn. By the second week of April, letters will be mailed to invite students to the magnet schools. Parents will have until Monday, April 20 to respond.
  
  For Scofield Magnet Middle School:
  
  On Monday March 23, 2009, lottery numbers will be drawn. By the first week in April, letters will be mailed to invite students to Scofield Magnet Middle School. Parents have until Friday, April 10 to respond.
  
  Is it necessary to come to the lottery drawing?
  
  No, parents can also learn their child's lottery number by calling the Research Office at 977-4198 or 977-4201 after the lottery drawing.

4. How does the lottery process work for the elementary magnet schools?
Student applications are divided into two groups - Educationally Disadvantaged and Educationally Non-Disadvantaged. Educationally Disadvantaged students: For the Elementary Magnet Schools:

• Are Eligible for the federal lunch program or
• Are English language learners or
• Reside in income restricted housing.

Selection for magnet school admission is based on a lottery number as well as category considerations. This combination enables the district to regulate enrollment and balance. The order of admission by category is described below: I. Students residing in the attendance area of a magnet school II. Students with a brother or sister in the magnet school III. Students residing in the "preferred area" of a magnet school (streets close to a magnet school) IV. Students residing in the attendance area of a district school identified for "targeted admission" to the magnet schools V. All other students

What is the meaning "targeted admission" to the magnet schools?

"Targeted admission" is offered to incoming kindergarteners from district schools with enrollments that are expected to exceed school capacity. In this way, "targeted admission" is used to anticipate potential crowding. By February 15, the Superintendent will advise the Board of Education of the need for "targeted admission" for 2009-10. Parents of incoming kindergarteners will be informed of which elementary schools, if any, have "targeted admission" status for the coming school year.

5. Do all students have the same chance for admission to a magnet school?

No. The lottery process is controlled and works with specified enrollment categories, as described above. For example, a student from a district school identified for "targeted admission" will be accepted to a magnet school before students with lower (i.e. better) lottery numbers from district schools not identified for "targeted admission."

Also, students residing in the attendance area of a magnet or district school will likely remain in their assigned schools if their departure will create imbalance. By February 15, restrictions on admission of students from selected schools to the magnet schools will be determined and announced

6. How does the process work for Scofield Magnet Middle School?
Seats to Scofield Magnet Middle School are proportionately allowed to Cloonan, Dolan, Rippowam, and Turn of River. In addition, student applications are divided into two groups. Educationally Disadvantaged and Educationally Advantaged as described above. There are therefore eight lottery lists for Scofield - an Educationally Advantaged and Educationally Disadvantaged list for each of the four districted middle schools. Students are selected from the eight lotery lists to fill 210 seats in the sixth grade at Scofield. Students are added in grades 7th and 8th as space becomes available.

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Two district wide meetings on the magnet schools are taking place soon! Application to the magnet schools must be submitted to the Board of Education by March 2 at 4pm.

The Elementary meeting will take place on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 7 - 9pm at the Board of Education meeting room and will include school coice options.

The Middle School meeting will take place on Wed. January 21 from 7 - 9pm at the Board of Education meeting room.

The Board of Education is located at 888 Washington Blvd. in Stamford on the 5th floor.

Magnet school acceptance is based on a lottery system. All applications must be in by March 2. The drawing will take place on March 24 for the elementary children and on March 23 for the middle school children.

Applications for the Information Technology and Engineering School are due no later than Feb. 9 for all incoming 9th graders. The lottery drawing will take place on Feb. 13.

For information on the individual orientation times at the different schools, call the numbers below:

Hart Magnet - 977-5082

Rogers International School - 977-4560

Toquam Magnet - 977-4556

Westover Magnet - 977-4572

Middle Magnet - 977-2750

Academy of Information and Technology - 977-4336

Want more information from someone who has had 3 kids go through our schools? Call me, Victoria Lorusso at 203-324-9600.

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Victoria

www.HomesofFairfieldCounty.com

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