Magnetic kids: Cobb County’s best and brightest
May 14, 2015
The School for International Studies incorporates yearly travel within the curriculum. The Magnet lounge holds an entire map, documenting the places visited over the years.
Seemingly harmless and simple, the transition from middle to high school has emerged competitive and involves more consideration. Instead of merely choosing between honors or on-level courses, students possess the option of choosing a totally different school.
Cobb County students, for instance, can apply to six different Magnet schools and pursue a specialized curriculum. Ranging from Kennesaw to South Cobb, from theatre to mathematics, these institutions provide early exposure to various career fields. Admission, though, requires an impressive application, test scores, and teacher recommendations.
Senior Alex Mancuso furthered his education at NC’s school for International Studies (NCSIS). A mixture between disliking his zoned school, Harrison High School, and appreciating Dr. Page’s enthusiasm made his decision inevitable: “I wanted to try something new, and I really wanted to meet new people,” Mancuso said.
He also considered the subject areas that he excelled in, which helped cancel certain programs: “I wasn’t going to apply to Kennesaw Mountain or Wheeler because those are math and science, which isn’t really my forte. But NC was the one I knew I could do well in because it was around my forte.”
During Mancuso’s application process, he also considered Campbell High School’s International Baccalaureate magnet program. But upon visiting their open house, he recognized the relatively small marching band and figured their music program proved less significant on Spartan turf: “Even though I wasn’t going to be in marching band, it gave me an idea of how much they try to push extracurricular activities. I felt like I could do more here at North Cobb.”
In Mancuso’s opinion, the NCSIS program included manageable schedules for students. Getting thrusted into AP Human Geography began a rough journey, but he eventually found his balance: “I was either going to do very well or do very poorly. There was no in between for me.”
As a senior within Wheeler High School’s Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Technology, and Mathematics, Tiana Montes reflected on her admissions decision: “I really wanted to go into technology, and I knew math and science go along with it, so why not go over there and integrate myself into the field early,” Montes said.
Intensive curriculum usually thins out the crowd, but Montes stood firm in her academic pursuit. Unlike most magnet freshmen, Montes handled the workload with ease. Completing the assigned courses proved simple. The true difficulty involved her extracurriculars. The daily commute hindered her ability to participate in clubs and other functions. But she gained amusement from the program’s technology.
“Everything is economics,” Dr. Roach announced to her class.
“They have more equipment. We get to do more experiments because we have some really advanced technology.”
Montes also considered Kennesaw Mountain, who also hosts a STEM program. However, even with an impressive application, she received a rejection letter: “I got their letter first, and it said they were sorry to inform me about it. I was already upset. I knew that I hadn’t gotten into Wheeler if I couldn’t get into to Kennesaw, but I did.”
Although Montes boasts the program’s prestige, she admits that the program did not prepare her for a career in her field. The true joy in magnet came from the other students: “I enjoyed most of my science classes. I got what I wanted out of them, as far as learning new scientific methods. But even better, I met some really cool people.”
Senior Donavan White attends Kennesaw Mountain’s Academy of Mathematics, Science, and Technology. During his primary and middle school years, he thrived in STEM areas and saw himself exceeding at K-side: “Since the program specialized in math and science, I felt it would be the best for me because those are the subjects in which I excel,” White said.
Commuting from district to district, White managed to enjoy his high school experience with advanced classes. The kinesthetic environment prompted a connection to his studies.
“My favorite class was definitely my earth systems class because there were a lot of hands on problem-based learning,” White admitted. “My best moment was finishing my 30-page magnet research paper.”
In pursuit of a medical degree, White’s interest in science and math has deepened, as well as his appreciation for dedicated peers. Enduring extreme workloads and practicing ultimate time management characterizes the average magnet student’s work ethic, which he now accurately exemplifies.
“It has been a very enlightening experience, academically and socially. I learned that perseverance separates those who to succeed from those who just want to get by.”
Although each magnet experience differs for each student, the rigorous learning environment places students closer to achieving their career goals. Proper research and compatibility sets prospective students up for their future high school careers. Middle schoolers interested in these programs should visit the official Cobb County website at: http://www.cobbk12.org/schools/magnet/