To facilitate public school desegregation, many states and school districts have created magnet schools, which provide specialized curriculums and instructional approaches to attract students from a variety of neighborhoods in a metropolitan area. Often, enrollment for magnet schools is regulated to ensure schools remain racially balanced; enrollment is controlled in a variety of ways, including admissions criteria, first-come, first-served applications, lotteries and/or percentage set-asides for neighborhood residents. One of the strengths of magnet schools is their ability to establish a unique focus such as gifted and talented, math and science or basic-skills programs. In addition, principals of some magnets are given more autonomy over certain decisions, including recruiting teachers. For example, principals of certain magnets may interview anyone in the school district’s teacher pool for an open position and are allowed to disregard seniority in making their selection. Although magnet programs are often established to meet federal requirements for desegregating public schools, there is usually local involvement in the actual design of magnet programs. Parents, teachers and others are able to assess the needs of their communities and design specific magnet programs to serve these needs. Operating costs for magnets are funded by federal grants, state grants, local school board contributions, corporate contributions and, in some cases, tuition paid by parents.

the only school youll every stick too.

It's where all the good little magnets go to get educated.