Magnetic Attraction: Magnet Schools, Programs Draw Students from Across District

Magnets play an important role in diversity initiatives

February 25, 2021 – When Olmsted Academy South opened in 2008, the school’s identity was tied to being an all-girl school.  Then school leaders started to think “15 years down the road.”

“The landscape was changing so quickly,” said Angela Allen, Olmsted South’s principal. “We started to think – what is it we want our girls to know, to be able to do, in 15 years? We focused on the needs of young ladies both academically and instructionally to prepare them to take advantage of 21st Century opportunities. That was important to us.”

The school became a Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math – STEAM—magnet, providing a challenging curriculum and a draw for girls of all backgrounds, from

across the district, to the school.

“Math, science, engineering – opportunities girls of color, which the majority of our girls are, and low income students don’t usually have access to,” Allen said. “Sometimes young ladies think they can’t do science, engineering or math.  But then they come here and they realize – young women can be good at math and science, too.”

Today, Olmsted South is the only magnet school in Kentucky certified by Magnet Schools of America, which celebrates February as National Magnet School Month. And offering a theme-based magnet program that attracts students from all corners of the county has been a boon for the school and its students beyond simply academics, according to Allen. “It has really prepared our young ladies to be successful,” she said. “When they leave here they are accustomed to diversity.”

Magnet schools and program in JCPS have long carried an elite status, but as the district debates changes to its student assignment plan, JCPS is taking a fresh look at magnets with an eye toward equity.

“Our emphasis, through the Future State of JCPS, is an intentional focus on school choice,” said Cassie Blausey, executive administrator of school choice.  “The theme-based environment is really critical – it provides an extra source of engagement.  But we’re putting a critical eye on diversity, too.  The district has done a lot to improve the purpose of magnets, so that we’re not just offering engaging types of offerings.  We’re working toward making the process more inclusive, making materials more accessible, translating them into multiple languages, and making the process easier for families.”

Blausey cited the “brain energy” that is being expended to move some of these initiatives forward through the lens of racial equity. “Ultimately, we are at a really critical time because it’s important that we have a change of scene” with respect to how students get into a magnet school or program, she said.  One example: changing the magnet admission process for elementary schools to a lottery system.

“One of the things that is different is that diversity piece,” Blausey said. “The district has done a lot to improve the purpose of magnets, so that we’re not just offering engaging experiences, but they provide a diverse environment.”

That focus is not lost on the students at Olmsted South.

“We’re sisters who come from very different backgrounds across the community,” Allen said. “But we learn together, and that’s going to make a difference as we move into this global society.”