Celebrating National Magnet Schools Month

Did you know that February is Magnet Schools Month nationwide? That’s okay.  That’s why we’re here.

Pasadena Unified School District actually has six magnet schools, each of which has a concentrated curriculum based upon various fields of study, from the arts to science to languages to engineering.

As part of Magnet Schools Month, PUSD magnet school teams met with aides from four California congressional offices last week, including the office of Senator Dianne Feinstein, Representative Judy Chu, Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard, and Representative Pete Aguilar. 

The meetings were part of Magnet Schools of America’s “Virtual Hill Day” and included advocacy for additional funding for the Magnet Schools Assistance Program as well as support for the Strength in Diversity Act.  

“Each magnet school integrates its unique theme throughout the academic program and the school environment for rich, meaningful learning experiences,” according to the PUSD website. 

“Magnet schools also partner with business professionals, cultural institutions, local colleges, and community organizations in the field to provide hands-on experiences that boost achievement and engagement while preparing students for college and careers,” the site noted.

As PUSD Signature Programs Coordinator Shannon Mumolo describes the concept,  “Magnets are either a school centered around a thematic focus. So it could be art, or STEM, which is science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”  Added Mumolo, “The program goals include increased racial and socioeconomic integration and academic achievement for students.”

Pasadena magnet schools were proud to share the stories and accomplishments of PUSD students with national legislators last week. 

Dr. Benita Scheckel, principal of Altadena Arts Magnet School, is rightly proud of her school’s program and achievements, explaining, “Our focus is giving students a rich arts integrated education. So our students receive up to 16 weeks of our 16 hours a week of arts instruction—dance, theater, visual arts and music, as well as digital citizenship.

Students also receive their academic course subjects through units of study that are all integrated with the arts, according to Scheckel.

Another added benefit of the magnet schools is the increased attendance numbers, long an issue for the PUSD.

Said Scheckel, “The magnet has become the hottest elementary school around. We have so many families that want to come in. Our enrollment went from 287 last school year to 475 this year.” Washington STEAM Multilingual Academy and John Muir High School Early College Magnet also increased in enrollment this year.

As part of Magnet Schools Month, Magnet staff have asked students and families to share why they chose a magnet school and how the choice has impacted their child’s education.

“We asked different families to respond,” Scheckel continued, “and one family is a long-time Altadena family who has seen the transition from before we were a magnet school to now. Another family was a family who decided that the magnet public school was better for their child with special needs.”

Magnet Schools are free and open to students within and outside of PUSD boundaries through the PUSD Open Enrollment system. The next lottery takes place March 15th-19th online for new applicants. Out-of-district applications are also accepted during the March lottery dates. https://www.pusd.us/openenrollment