New York City is set to establish its first magnet high schools with a $30 million grant from the federal government.
Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor David Banks announced the city’s reception of two large federal grants to fund six public schools in the Bronx and Manhattan over five years on Friday, January 12th.
Mayor Adams in a statement said, “With this federal funding, our administration will now create six magnet high schools — the first-ever in New York City — to provide tailored learning opportunities for young New Yorkers.
He added, “Every day, this administration continues to invest directly in our students, provide them with the tools they need to succeed in our public schools and prepare them for great futures.”
Magnet schools, known for their specialized curricula, are designed to attract a varied student body through unique educational offerings.
The administration announced that each school will blend in-school learning with real-world applications, meeting challenging academic standards and preparing students for college and future careers.
The Bronx schools that are part of the “Bronx Inter-District Magnet Consortium” include The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology, High School for Teaching and the Professions, and Bronx High School for the Visual Arts, each rebranded as magnet schools focusing on career-connected learning, aspiring educators and leaders, and innovation through visual arts, respectively.
Similarly, in Manhattan, the “Manhattan Inter-District Magnet Consortium” will encompass Esperanza Preparatory Academy, City College Academy of the Arts, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School, focusing on early college exploration, arts, and STEAM careers in business.
United States Senator Charles Schumer said, “These new high schools will bring together outstanding students from across the city and provide them with challenging and high-quality education.”
Selection criteria for these schools were based on their need for assistance, the quality of their program design, effective instructional approaches to enhance student achievement, diverse learning environments, and the opportunity for students to earn college credits.
