Magnet programs gain favor

Trent Farrow and his mother, Danielle, heard Tuesday night about a program that aims to teach students time management, the importance of community service and much more through rigorous courses.

"I think it will keep him more focused," said Ms. Farrow, whose son attends Pine Hill Middle School and will be a high school freshman next year.

The two were among more than 50 who attended an open house Tuesday night for the International Baccalaureate Program at the Academy of Richmond County. It's one of several Richmond County magnet programs that officials say are gaining popularity.

"We're growing. We're changing. We love it," said Charlie Tudor III, dean of the IB program, adding that a new IB wing is under construction at ARC.

Also this school year, A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School added middle school grades, and a new selective Academy for Advanced Placement was established at Lucy C. Laney High School. All Richmond County students will be able to apply for admission to the Laney program next school year.

An arts-infusion program for Warren Road Elementary pupils also will expand next year, allowing an enrollment at a to-be-determined date later this month for Richmond County students who live in Districts 3 and 7.

Tuesday's gathering at ARC, which will be followed by a few other magnet program open houses in the next week, included an overview of the IB program, a tour of the school and a few words from past and current IB students.

The IB program started in the 2000-01 school year and was the county's first magnet program at an existing comprehensive high school, Mr. Tudor said. The program's enrollment has increased from 196 in the 2007-08 school year to 227 this school year.

Mr. Tudor said a student can apply in ninth, 10th or 11th grades. Applications are then accepted in January -- to include three teacher recommendations and transcripts. Admissions testing occurs in February, and students are notified of acceptance before spring break.

Mr. Tudor said the IB diploma program focuses on those in 11th and 12th grades but that ninth- and 10th-grade courses serve as preparatory work. Although Mr. Tudor and others promoted the IB program Tuesday night, he also encouraged students to apply to more than one magnet program..

Reach Preston Sparks at (706) 828-3851 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.