If your wide-eyed student is extra curious about math or technology, you might want to consider a magnet program.
Alachua County Public Schools opened its magnet school application on Jan. 10. The program offers six elementary, four middle school and two high school magnet options alongside 15 career and technical education academies. Students apply online and are chosen based on a set of requirements and a lottery system.
To apply, students must rank schools in order of preference and upload two files that highlight their strengths before Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. Rankings are taken into account, especially when using the lottery system.
If your student lives outside of the county, they might have to take a few extra steps and upload supplemental academic documents such as report cards, attendance records and disciplinary records to apply.
Similarly, homeschooled students are expected to upload their Annual Report of Progress, an annual summary of academic performance, to apply.
Requirements vary depending on the student’s age. But, overall, students shouldn’t have more than 10 unexcused absences or major referrals. Depending on their age, students should meet an academic standard as well.
Overall, magnet schools focus on a specific academic skill, so students can study math, science, technology or what interests them.
Technical options do the same and allow students to chase something they enjoy. Some of their choices include a culinary art, teaching and engineering academy. It all depends on what they want to learn and become involved with.
Elementary Programs
| Program Name | Location |
| The Center for Gifted and Talented Studies | Archer Elementary School |
| The STEAM Magnet | Metcalfe Elementary School |
| Center for Fine Arts | Rawlings Elementary School |
| The STEM Magnet | Stephen Foster Elementary School |
| Dual Language Immersion Magnet | Terwilliger Elementary School |
| Williams Magnet Program | Williams Elementary School |
Middle School Programs
| Program Name | Location |
| Academy of Technology & Advanced Studies | Howard Bishop Middle School |
| The Lyceum: Center for Advanced Studies | Lincoln Middle School |
| Biomedical Mustangs | Mebane Middle School |
| Center for Advanced Academics & Technology | Oak View Middle School |
High School Programs
| Program Name | Location |
| The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program | Eastside High School |
| The Cambridge Program | Gainesville High School |
High School Career and Technical Education Academies
| Program Name | Location |
| Academy of Entrepreneurship
Academy of Finance |
Buchholz High School |
| Institute of Culinary Arts | Eastside High School |
| Academy of Health Professions
Academy of Future Teachers |
Gainesville High School |
| Academy of Agriscience
Academy of Veterinary Assisting Institute of Biotechnology |
Santa Fe High School |
| Academy of Agribusiness | Hawthorne M/H School |
| Academy of Automotive Technology
Academy of Fire &EMS Academy of Gaming & Mobile Apps Institute of Graphic Art & Design Academy of Robotics & Engineering |
PAM @ Loften High School |
| Academy of Criminal Justice | Newberry High School |
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