Columbus Municipal School District began taking applications for the 2011-2012 school year Monday. And parents have until March 28 to enter their children in the lottery for one of the district”s five elementary schools.
And for those still in limbo about which of the five magnet schools to choose — Sale International Studies Magnet School, Franklin Medical Sciences and Wellness Magnet School, Cook Fine Arts Magnet School, Stokes-Beard Technology and Communication Magnet School or Fairview Aerospace and Science Magnet School — the schools are hosting open houses this week and next week to help with the decision.
Students entering kindergarten for the 2011-2012 school year must enter the lottery, as well as any elementary students new to the district. Parents also may enter their children in the lottery if they are already enrolled in the district and want to change schools. Pre-kindergarten-age students also are eligible for the lottery, but the number of seats is limited for this program. Potential pre-kindergartners also must report to Brandon Central Services on either March 22, from 4-6:30 p.m. or March 23, from 7:30-10 a.m.
To enter pre-kindergarten, a child must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1; to enter kindergarten a child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1.
“It is important for parents to enter their child in the lottery early for the upcoming school year because it increases their chances of receiving their first choice,” said Dr. Martha Liddell, assistant superintendent for elementary education. “If parents wait until the second lottery in June, there is a good chance their first choice school may be full for the upcoming school year.”
Liddell also emphasized the importance of attending open houses for a first-hand look at the schools” themes and how they are incorporated into instruction.
“Open house is designed to give parents a birds-eye view of each magnet school theme first hand by offering demonstrations and model classroom settings at each magnet school,” Liddell said. “Parents also get a chance to meet the school”s teachers and administrators and ask any questions they may have about the magnet school.”
The deadline for lottery applications is March 28 at 4 p.m. Applications can be picked up from Brandon Central Services at 2630 McArthur Drive. Applications also are available at www.columbuscityschools.org. They can be returned in person or mailed to Columbus Municipal School District, P.O. Box 1308, 2630 McArthur Drive, Columbus, MS, 39703, Attention Magnet Schools Programs Office.
The Columbus Magnet School Lottery will be conducted at Brandon Central Services Center on April 27 at 10 a.m. The event is open to the public.
For more information, contact Dr. Martha Liddell at 662-241-7400 or e-mail [email protected].
Open House Schedule
n Sale International Studies Magnet School: today, 5-7 p.m.
n Franklin Medical Sciences and Wellness Magnet School: Thursday, 5-7 p.m.
n Cook Fine Arts Magnet School: Monday, 5-7 p.m.
n Stokes-Beard Technology and Communication Magnet School: March 8, 5-7 p.m.
n Fairview Aerospace and Science Magnet School: March 10, 5-7 p.m.
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