Magnet schools are designed to foster racial integration. They receive federal funding for special programs in, for example, music or law, that are intended to make the school attractive to children who might not otherwise consider traveling from their own neighborhood. According to the condition of the federal grants, magnet programs give preference to members of racial or ethnic groups that are underrepresented at the school. Call your district office and ask the magnet coordinator for details. Go to top.
Many districts offer programs for students they have identified as gifted and talented.
Some of these are separate classes within neighborhood schools. Others are whole schools dedicated to the education of gifted children. Still others offer after-school enrichment or special classes for part of the day. Children who are bored in regular classes may flourish in separate classes for the gifted. In some low-performing districts, gifted and talented programs offer the best available alternative to what can be chaotic and undemanding classes.