Welcome to 21st Century Magnet Schools

I grew up in New York City, where there were specific high schools for the gifted. If you were talented, you could apply for admission to The High School of Performing Arts (on which the movie, Fame, was based). If you were exceptionally good at science, there was The Bronx High School of Science. Students would take public transportation to attend these schools.

Fast forward to life in the suburbs many years later. I heard about magnet schools that "drew" students who had an affinity for IT or whatever, and I assumed that they were suburbia's answers to New York City's specialized high schools. People -- even teachers I know -- were rather vague about discussing Stamford's magnet schools. This week, as I started the process of orientation and open houses for my son's kindergarten, I learned -- I think -- about Stamford's versions of magnet schools. I attended orientations for The Hart School, located in one of the poorest neighborhoods and Toquam School in Springdale, which almost closed a few years ago. The former is about math, science and IT; the latter emphasizes social studies and language arts. Both schools have a mix of controlled lottery winners (more about that in a moment) and kids who are already districted for them.

By controlled lottery, the school system means that if a child is economically disadvantaged (a euphemism for coming from a poor family), he or she has a better chance of getting in. If a child already has a sibling, he or she has a better chance of being granted admission. Not that I play the cash lotteries, but I think I would have a better chance at winning a dollar or two or three playing that than getting my son into a magnet school based on the school system's controlled lottery.

I still have two more magnet schools to tour, but I'm leaning towards sending my son to the school to which he's districted. I've heard good things about it. It seems to be a natural transition for him based on our community and his current preschool. Hopefully, we'll be able to get him the proper schooling he needs when he's old enough to know what he wants to do with his life. I just hope that the powers that be in the school system doesn't drive me crazy with unproven philosophies, studies and other issues I dealt with when he attended his first preschool with unqualified staff.