Barnette Magnet School builds competency through choices, academic rigor, and community involvement.
This innovative school brings learning to life through explorations in the arts, technology, languages, and movement as students engage in “hands-on, minds-on” learning. The integration of the arts assures the learning experience is stimulating and well rounded, while service-learning opportunities develop leadership and a sense of community.
Our school seeks to empower children as designers and inventors, enabling them to learn about the world through experimentation and exploration. Academics are very important to the magnet school. For this reason, we have ensured an uninterrupted core block of rigorous curriculum.
Barnette Magnet School is a safe and supportive environment, enhanced by the parents and community, which seeks to provide extraordinary experiences for all children.
The school day at Barnette Magnet School consists of “Core” (reading, writing, and math) and electives referred to as “Explorations.” Fridays each have unique schedules to allow for specials and more core/homeroom contact time. The school offers after-school activities as well. Families may extend their child’s day by enrolling in our fee based after-school program. Please contact our After-School Coordinator for fees and schedules. The programs are popular and enjoyable!
Typical School day
7:45AM Doors open (breakfast available)
8:15–12:00 Core for grades 4-8, Specials & Explorations for grades K-3
12:00–2:45 Explorations for grades 4-8, Core for grades K-3
2:45 Dismissal
Fridays
Lunches and recesses on Fridays are scheduled in the same time frame as weekday lunches.
We cannot underestimate the value of extracurricular field trips. The teachers put much work and effort into providing an excellent experience for students. There are responsibilities on the student's part as well that must be fulfilled. In order to be able to go on an extracurricular field trip, a student must not have missing assignments and behavior referrals must be at a minimum. Safety is compromised if a child does not follow directions. The safety of other students can be jeopardized when the attention of staff is diverted to one student instead of the group. We will not compromise the safety or well-being of other students.
Please note the dates! During the quarterly exhibit nights, students share what they have done in their explorations each quarter. “Dinner” will be offered during these family nights at a nominal fee as a fundraiser for various grade levels. Don’t miss these wonderful opportunities to “eat and greet!”
Please remember that there are extra costs involved in a program such as the one we are implementing at Barnette Magnet School. Guest artists and speakers as well as materials for the project-based explorations are not fully covered in the general budget. In order to provide these extras, students are assessed nominal fees. It is realistic to plan on about $100.00 per child per year for extra activity fees. If you would like to request a waiver to cover fees please visit the front office. It is important to promptly pay your fees the first week of each quarter. Students who do not pay class material fees may not be placed in future fee-based activities until all fees are paid. Alternative classes and activities are available if families do not wish to pay for special activities.
Classes are scheduled to maximum capacity making it extremely difficult to switch after class assignments. Since most classes last only one quarter, we ask that your child remain in the scheduled class for the entire quarter. Schedule changes will be made only for academic reasons and on a space available basis during the first week of the quarter. To discuss your child’s schedule, please make an appointment to meet with the Program Secretary before the end of the first week or submit a class change form signed by a parent.
Course Change Rules
1. Limited quantities of exploration classes and essential class requirements may necessitate a student to be moved into classes other than those they choose.
2. At the beginning of each quarter, we will allow a single switch of classes for academic reasons only. The academic reason should be listed on the Course Change Form.
3. If a class needs to be changed, the Course Change Form must be signed by a parent or guardian. No forms will be accepted without a parent signature.