News
News Release:
Magnet Schools Get Nearly $10.7 Million in Federal Grants
Three-Year Funding Will Help Expand Innovative Programs
October 3, 2007

Magnet schools in the San Diego Unified School District received a big boost from the federal government when they were awarded nearly $10.7 million over three years, the U.S. Department of Education announced September 27.

The grants are part of the federal government’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program. It helps school districts create more school choices for parents, bring diverse groups of children together and help create innovative educational programs, according to the department’s news release. Grants can only be used for new programs or substantial changes to existing programs.

San Diego Unified will receive in excess of $3 million each year under the award. For the current school year, the grant is $3,518,188, the fifth highest total in the nation.

For the 2008-09 school year, the grant will total $3,483,418, and for 2009-10, $3,654,599. It’s the first time since 2003 San Diego Unified has been awarded this funding.

Six schools were included in the grant. Three magnet school programs begun in the 2007-08 school year will receive additional funding, while two other programs will be significantly revised. An additional magnet program will be added in 2008-09, thanks to the federal funds.

Programs benefiting that began this school year are: Barnard Elementary Mandarin Chinese enrichment program; Birney Elementary Academy of International Studies International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program; and Joyner Elementary MicroSociety.

Revised programs are: Johnson Elementary Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; and the John Muir School for Global Citizenship.

Planned for the 2008-09 school year is the Millennial Tech Middle School Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program.

Magnet school programs are located on 15 elementary campuses, as well as 19 middle, atypical and high schools. Programs range from performing arts to science to Mandarin Chinese language instruction. The program was established as part of the district’s desegregation plan.

More than 1,800 students will be enrolled in the programs. District-wide, more than 21,000 students are enrolled in magnet programs.

San Diego Unified elementary Magnet programs are:

Barnard Mandarin Chinese Language; Benchley-Weinberger Achievement Through Communication; Birney Academy of International Studies; Chollas-Mead Multimedia Communications; Freese Arts and Culture; Fulton Spanish and Filipino Enrichment; Green Academics and Athletics; Florence Griffith Joyner MicroSociety; Johnson Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Lindbergh-Schweitzer Writing and Multimedia Publishing; Oak Park Music Conservatory with Enriched Studies; Spreckels Bilingual Studies; Valencia Park Academics, Drama and Dance; Webster Academy of Science and Research; Zamorano Fine Arts.

Middle and atypical school programs are:

Creative, Performing and Media Arts (CPMA) (grades 6-8); Roosevelt Middle School International Baccalaureate (6-8); Grant Math Science (K-8); Knox Preparatory (K-8); Language Academy (K-8); Longfellow Spanish Language Immersion (K-8); Muir School for Global Citizenship (K-12); San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (6-12).

Senior high programs are:

At the Kearny High School Complex: School of Science, Connections and Technology; Stanley E. Foster Construction Tech Academy; School of International Business; School of Digital Media and Design.

At Mission Bay High School: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and Global Studies and Technology.

At San Diego High School Educational Complex: School of International Studies; LEADS High School; School of Business; School of Science and Technology (SciTech); School of Media, Visual and Performing Arts; School of Communication Investigations in a Multicultural Atmosphere.

Parents are invited to explore the magnet program on the web at www.sandi.net/enrollmentoptions/magnet/magnet_front.html or by calling the Magnet Schools Program at (619) 725-7158.