Magnet schools celebrate 10 years of unique education
6:24 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Topeka — The staff at Williams Magnet said their success came from their belief that the process of education is more important than the end result. Williams Magnet School offers students the opportunity to learn in a unique environment.
The curriculum emphasizes art and science. Student art work lines the hallways. There is a rainforest lab – complete with flying birds and natural rain forest vegetation.
“Coming here everyday is an adventure,” Elizabeth Archie, Williams Magnet fifth grader, said.
Archie has straight As at Williams Magnet. She likes her unusual learning opportunities. Opportunities like studying desert animals in their natural habitats in the desert lab, or learning about constellations in the space lab – complete with its own inflatable planetarium.
According to test scores, this hands-on approach worked.
“When we take our science test scores here, there is no achievement gap,” Mary Gies, Williams Magnet principal, said. “Our kids, whether they’re from low-income, non-white or white population, all score the exactly the same.”
Educators trained the staff to focus on more than the education of the student. Staff focuses on students’ emotional and social well-being, too.
“They feel welcomes when they come here,” Gies said. “When kids feel welcomed – feel like they’re part of something – they’re going to do better.”
Scott Magnet
Williams Magnet focuses on art and science, but Scott Magnet, Topeka’s other magnet school, focuses on technology.
Archie said that makes a difference to her.
“If you’re feeling down, even if you don’t say anything to a teacher, they’re always going to have support for you,” Archie said. “I just think it’s a positive place to be.”
A positive place and a sound start to an education that will help students succeed after they move on to life after Williams Magnet.
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