County Offers Information on Magnet Programs, Including New Performing Visual Arts High School

Magnet programs, once perceived as being for "smart kids only," now offer a variety of learning experiences for middle and high school students who are curious about international cultures, science and technology, performing and visual arts or health care.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) offers a variety of magnet programs that provide the opportunity for students to learn in an environment that aligns with their interests—and maybe even their career aspirations.

Students and parents can learn about the 13 magnet programs currently offered by AACPS at two information sessions:

• Thursday, Sept. 22, at Annapolis High School from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Old Mill High School from 6 to 8 p.m.

In addition, there will be an information session on the proposed Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) high school program:

• Tuesday, Oct. 11 at , Room CALT 100, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (See PDF attached to this article for additional details.)

Starting Oct. 1, fifth-graders may apply for middle school programs and eighth-graders may apply for high school programs for the 2012-13 school year.

Middle school programs include:

• Three International Baccalaureate (IB) programs at Annapolis Middle School, MacArthur Middle School and Old Mill Middle School North
• Two PVA magnets at Wiley H. Bates Middle and Brooklyn Park Middle

High school programs include:

• Three IB programs at Annapolis High School, Meade High School and Old Mill High School
• Two Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs at South River High and North County High
• Two Centers for Applied Technology (CAT) programs at CAT-South and CAT-North
• BioMedical Allied Health program at Glen Burnie High School
• A new high school PVA program will open next year, contingent on approval of the 2012–13 budget.

Students must meet the minimum requirements for each program and transportation to designated local bus stops is provided for out-of-area students. For additional information, contact the AACPS Advanced Studies and Programs office at 410-222-5365.