Orange County Public Schools is inviting parents and students to learn more about the 46 magnet programs offered in 33 sites across elementary, middle and high schools. The school system is hosting a virtual Magnet Fair as a way to promote its specialized learning programs, known as magnets.
According to OCPS, these focused programs encourage academic excellence in highly specialized areas of study and often pave a road into post-secondary schools and colleges.
Some programs that OCPS recently spotlighted include:
University High School’s Performing Fine Arts – This program provides students interested in elevating their musicality, dance or theatre skills various opportunities to grow as an individual performer and citizen. The program utilizes an academic integration plan that fosters students’ artistic, academic and personal development through a rigorous, performance-based arts curriculum. Omar Jose Cardona, a contestant on The Voice 2022, is an UHS alumnus.
Lakeview Middle School’s World Language Academy – Provides instruction for English speaking students to learn a second language and be on their way to becoming biliterate in Spanish or French, while cultivating an understanding of other cultures to be better prepared for a global future. Students can earn two high school credits of foreign language prior to entering high school and will be better prepared to enroll in an Advanced Placement foreign language course.
Maxey Elementary School’s Visual and Performing Arts – This magnet program provides opportunities for students to experience the arts across all content areas while infusing technology to enhance students’ learning. Students hone their skills, techniques and processes in music, the visual arts and dance.
Access the virtual magnet fair here. See a list of all OCPS magnet programs offered at the elementary, middle and high school level. Students must apply for the magnet program. If there are more applicants than the number of seats available in a specific program, students are selected through a lottery.
The application window is now through February 15, 2023.
Students who currently reside in Orlando and Orange County and who will be entering a grade from kindergarten through 10th in the 2023-24 school year may apply for a magnet program seat. Students applying for kindergarten programs must be 5 years old before September 1st.
The Office of School Choice Services in Orange County Public Schools works to increase awareness among parents and community members about voluntary public school choice options in Florida. School Choice means providing parents the opportunity to be involved in selecting the school their child will attend. It also means providing services and assistance to help children receive the instruction that best meets their needs.
