Questions? Contact Katie Natelli, School Counselor, at or (410)222-6495 Visit www.aacps.org/magnet for updates!

High School Magnet Programs: A Quick Guide

Magnet Program / Location / GPA Requirement / Math Requirement / WCL Requirement / Special Notes
STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math / North County High / I. 3.0 GPA (No more than 1 C) in 7th grade
OR
II. 2.5 GPA (No D’s or E’s) in 7th grade / Successful completion of:
I. Algebra 1 with a “C” or better
OR
II. Stem 8 with a “B” or better / Successful completion of a WCL with a “C” or better. / A two-week summer bridge program will be required.
BMAH
BioMedical Allied Health / Glen Burnie High / I. 3.0 GPA (No more than 1 C) in 7th grade
OR
II. 2.5 GPA (No D’s or E’s) in 7th grade / Successful completion of:
I. Algebra 1 with a “C” or better
OR
II. Stem 8 with a “B” or better / Successful completion of a WCL with a “C” or better. / A two-week summer bridge program will be required.
IB
International Baccalaureate / Meade High / I. 3.0 GPA (No more than 1 C) in 7th grade
OR
II. 2.5 GPA (No D’s or E’s) in 7th grade / Successful completion of:
I. Algebra 1 with a “C” or better
OR
II. Stem 8 with a “B” or better / Successful completion of a WCL (Spanish or French) with a “C” or better. American Sign Language 1 does not meet this requirement. / None.
PVA Performing & Visual Arts
Programs Include:
Music, Dance, Theatre, Film, Production, Creative Writing, & Visual Art / Broadneck High (Music)
or Annapolis High
(All Other Arts) / I. 3.0 GPA (No more than 1 C) in 7th grade
OR
II. 2.5 GPA (No D’s or E’s) in 7th grade / None. / None. / All students must audition and earn an average rubric score of 7 on their audition.
A summer bridge program, M-Th extended day instruction, and monthly evening/weekend programs will be required.
CAT-N
Center of Applied Technology – North / Students remain at their home high school, then spend a partial day at CAT-N. / I. 2.5 GPA
OR
II. 2.0 GPA / Students must demonstrate satisfactory progress towards meeting graduation requirements. / Students must demonstrate satisfactory progress towards meeting graduation requirements. / Successful completion of CAT Exploration in 9th grade is strongly recommended before applying to specific programs in 10th grade.

What are the requirements for selection into the program?

The student shall:

·  have an interest in participating in and be committed to the four-year Magnet Program sequence in high school.

·  have good academic standing and attendance.

·  complete the online magnet application form and Challenge Interview (Pathway II applicants and all non-AACPS students, only).

·  meet the requirements of one of the application pathways (designated at I and II for each magnet program above):

Pathway I:

a. A minimum of a “B” average (3.0 GPA) in grade 7—no more than one “C.”

b. Current enrollment in or successful completion of Algebra I with a “C” or better.

c. Current enrollment in or successful completion of Level 1 of a world language or ESOL with a “C” or better.

Pathway II

a. A minimum of a “mid-C” average (2.5 GPA) in grade 7—no “Ds” or “Es.”

b. Current enrollment in, or successful completion of STEMath 8 with a “B” or better.

c. Current enrollment in or successful completion of Level I of a world language or ESOL with a “C” or better.

d. An average rubric score of a 7 or better on the Challenge Interview.

e. Two letters of recommendation (an email link will be provided to the Letter of Recommendation form)

·  One from a teacher familiar with student’s current academic progress

·  One from a counselor, coach, or other non-relative community member

**Notes: Math and WCL requirements apply only to students applying for the STEM, BMAH, and IB programs. IB does not accept ASL1 to satisfy the WCL requirement. These two pathways are NOT a ranking system – the only distinction is that students in Pathway II must complete an interview and submit letters of recommendation. Students who are required to complete these Pathway II requirements will be notified by email.

What are the requirements for High School students to remain in a Magnet Program?

• High School students must maintain a 2.8 or higher GPA through all 4 years of high school.

• CAT-N students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in a Level I magnet course to be considered for a Level 2 course.

• All students must have appropriate behavior and attendance.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I be sure my child will meet the GPA requirement?

Parents can calculate their child’s 7th grade GPA by using the final grades earned by your child in each course. These final grades are an average of the grades your child earned during each of the four marking periods throughout the year, and will be listed on your child’s final report card. To calculate your child’s GPA, you will need to assign a number value to each of the final grades on his/her final report card. A’s are worth 4 points, B’s are worth 3 points, C’s are worth 2 points, D’s are worth 1 point, and E’s are worth 0 points. Add up all of the points earned by your child, then divide by the number of classes taken in order to get your child’s GPA. Remember that students with final grades of a D or E are not eligible for most magnet programs.

When does my child apply to magnet programs?

The application process is completed online. Families that do not have internet access should contact their school counselor for assistance with the application. The application for high school magnet programs opens in the fall of your child’s 8th grade year. This year, the magnet application window will be open from September 30th until noon on November 30th 2016.

Will transportation to magnet schools be provided?

Yes, bus stops will be consolidated. Most bus stops will be located at local elementary or middle schools or public libraries.

What’s the lottery? How does it work?

All eligible students who apply for magnet programs before the application deadline will be entered into a random, computerized lottery if the number of applicants exceeds the number of seats available. All eligible applications are treated exactly the same and have the same chance of getting a seat in a Magnet Program. There is no weighting system for any students, regardless of a student’s pathway, academic achievements, siblings in the program, or any other special circumstances.

Can students apply to more than one magnet program?

Yes! Students can apply to as many magnet programs as they would like. Since all Magnet Programs went to lottery in 2015, it is recommended that students apply to multiple magnet programs if they are interested in multiple programs in order to increase the likelihood of acceptance into at least one program of choice.

I know that Old Mill High School also has the IB program. Can my child choose to go to IB instead of Meade?

No, students from Corkran all feed into the Meade IB program. For each magnet program, a certain number of middle schools are slated to attend certain magnet high schools. Your child will attend the designated magnet school based on his/her current middle school location. The locations listed in the chart state the required high school of attendance for all Corkran students to apply to magnet programs.