Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is hosting its annual Magnet School Showcase on Saturday, October 31.
Magnet schools offer specialized curriculum on subjects like STEM, performing arts, world languages, health sciences and more in addition to their standard grade-level content. Students interested in pursuing a future in a particular field are able to apply to attend a magnet school even if it is outside their residential zone.
WS/FCS wants to empower students and families to choose schools where they can flourish. Events like the upcoming showcase help students and their families navigate the application process and identify what schools can best meet their needs and help them complete their goals.
But which magnet program is right for you or your student? Here are just a few of the district’s options:
Atkins High School
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Atkins High School is an NC STEM Model School where students can choose between different majors like biotechnology, engineering, digital arts and game design. Students at Atkins appreciate that their classes support their career development in high-demand fields, as well as the wide variety of fine arts programs and school clubs they have access to.
Diggs-Latham Elementary School
Diggs-Latham Elementary School provides students with arts programming through musicals, guest performances and practice with local artisans, and also integrates the arts into core subject lessons whenever possible. Energy is always high around the school thanks to some new project or experiment.
Hanes Magnet School
Hanes Magnet School is a STEAM magnet school, balancing an arts program with band, orchestra, chorus and visual arts opportunities alongside hands-on engineering programming in fields like 3D printing, computer coding and robotics. The school prides itself on its working relationship with local employers who lead the charge in practical technological development.
John F. Kennedy High School
John F. Kennedy High School focuses on career and technical education with career pathways in culinary arts, pharmacy tech, masonry, HVAC and more. JFK Scholars earn college credits, industry certifications and internships to prepare them for their careers, and some graduate with positions in local businesses already lined up.
Konnoak Elementary School
Konnoak Elementary School promotes active, inquiry-driven learning through the primary years version of the International Baccalaureate program. The school seeks to educate the whole child by building a globally minded and inclusive school culture, and it recently introduced a dual language immersion option.
North Forsyth High School
North Forsyth High School is the district’s campus for scholars interested in health sciences. The school offers college-ready coursework for aspiring paramedics, physical therapists, veterinarian assistants, athletic trainers and more, and its relationship with local emergency and health services creates hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Paisley Magnet School
Paisley Magnet School utilizes the middle grades edition of the International Baccalaureate program, which promotes practical education through project-based learning and lessons that connect course content to real-world events. Paisley graduates enter high school with five high school course credits already earned thanks to the school’s academic standards.
Parkland High School
Parkland High School carries the high school International Baccalaureate program, meaning its scholars analyze the world together through a critical lens while preparing for careers that will allow them to build up their communities. Its annual innovation fairs are showcases of young people creating plans to shape the future.
RJ Reynolds High School
RJ Reynolds High School teaches students to tell their stories through visual arts, dance, music, drama and more based on the philosophy that art is a form of literacy that promotes a greater understanding of the world. The school is home to RJ Reynolds Auditorium, a Winston-Salem performing arts landmark that has stood for more than a century.
Speas Global Elementary School
Speas Global Elementary School offers the primary school version of the International Baccalaureate, and it is also a dual language immersion school. Scholars at Speas can be taught in both English and Spanish as early as kindergarten, giving them exposure to international history and culture.
These are only a few of the opportunities WS/FCS students have to focus their curriculum through magnet school programming, so families are encouraged to attend this month’s magnet event to speak with the district’s magnet educators and learn what their programs can offer.
The Magnet School Showcase is on Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, located at 569 Fairgrounds Boulevard in Winston-Salem. Parking is free at Gate 7 off Shorefair Drive.
