Magnet Mania puts East Baton Rouge’s magnet programs in the spotlight

Sponsored by East Baton Rouge Parish School System

The East Baton Rouge Parish School System will bring its magnet programs together for Magnet Mania on Oct. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Louisiana Art and Science Museum. The event will give families a chance to explore 31 programs spanning academic subjects, visual and performing arts, environmental science, broadcasting and more.

Free parking will be available at the River Center Garage, with shuttles transporting attendees to the museum. With hundreds of families expected to attend, the event will be a broad showcase of the district’s educational offerings.

Magnet Mania is designed to help students and parents discover programs that match students’ interests and open doors to new academic and career possibilities, notes Dr. Casaundra McNair, EBR Schools Executive Director of Innovative & Specialized Programs.

At the entrance, families will have an opportunity to receive a performance schedule and map of the museum. Magnet coordinators and student ambassadors will be on hand to introduce programs and share students’ experiences. Visitors can also explore the museum’s exhibits and attend performances in its theater, including music and theater presentations and a monologue from McKinley Middle’s new conservatory program.

The lineup also highlights the depth of the district’s arts programming, with schools like Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts taking the stage for performances. BRCVPA and Forest Heights Academy of Excellence are among the district’s elementary schools recognized with distinctions from the Art Schools Network. The event follows the East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s recognition as Magnet Schools of America’s District of the Year this spring.

Magnet Mania is only the beginning. Magnet Showcase Week runs Oct. 5-8, giving families the opportunity to visit schools and see programs in their own settings. For example, a robotics exhibit may not fit in the museum, but a school showcase can offer a closer look at the lab where students develop those skills.

Families will receive a catalog highlighting the district’s Magnet Programs and the unique opportunities available at each school. Beginning Oct. 14, families can apply in just a few easy steps at ebrmagnet.org. School showcase schedules and additional information are also available on the website.

McNair says the district is committed to making magnet opportunities accessible to students with a ride range of interests, talents and academic strengths. With 31 Magnet Programs offering a variety of themes and pathways, families have many options to explore. While some programs have specific admissions criteria, many do not, creating opportunities for students across the district to find a program where they can discover their strengths, pursue their interests and develop a lifetime love of learning. The goal is simple: to help every student find a place where they can thrive.

The priority application pool opens Oct. 14 and closes Dec. 4. Because the first lottery follows that period, families are encouraged to apply during the priority window; seats may be limited afterward, McNair explains.

Three application nights will offer in-person support during the application process: Oct. 15 at the Instructional Resource Center, Nov. 5 at the Professional Development Center and Dec. 3 at the Welcome Center. Staff and computers will be available to help families complete applications.

Together, Magnet Mania, school showcases and application support offer families several ways to learn about East Baton Rouge Parish’s Magnet Programs and find an educational path that can capture a student’s interest and help prepare them for the future. Learn more at ebrmagnet.org.