Magnet School Information

Much of the information concerning Magnet School options can be found by visiting the Guilford County Schools website at http://www.gcsnc.com/magnet/ .  Following is a list of the most frequently asked questions about General Greene Elementary's magnet program.


Questions
1)  If we live in the Neighborhood Attendance Zone for General Greene Elementary, do we need to apply to the magnet program?
2)  If we do not attend the Magnet Fair, where do we get an application to attend General Greene as a magnet student?
3)  When can I tour the school and speak with school representatives?
4)  How are students selected for magnet admission?
5)  How many spaces are available in the magnet program for students? How are magnet students selected?
6)  Is there an after school care program for magnet students?
7)  How is the magnet program at General Greene different from a traditional education?
8)  With so much emphasis on science & technology, do General Greene students have a chance to explore other specials?
9)  How does General Greene decide what to teach students in the magnet concentration?
10)  Where can I get statistical information about the school?
11)  Does General Greene offer services for Exceptional Children?
 
Answers
1)  Q If we live in the Neighborhood Attendance Zone for General Greene Elementary, do we need to apply to the magnet program?
A
No. General Greene is available to all elementary age students living in the General Greene attendance zone. Students living outside the specific attendance zone have the opportunity to apply through the magnet program to attend the school. All students will receive the same classroom instruction regardless of their residential status. Registration for attendance zone children is available through the school office starting in May.
2)  Q If we do not attend the Magnet Fair, where do we get an application to attend General Greene as a magnet student?
A
Applications are available at the General Greene's school office, at any magnet school, or at the school assignment office. All applications must be returned by mail or in person to the Guilford County School assignment office by 5 p.m. on MARCH 6.

Note: Applications received after this date will be placed in the waiting pool.
3)  Q When can I tour the school and speak with school representatives?
A
General Greene will be open to the magnet community for day time and night time opportunities. No reservation is required. Children are welcome to join you; however, please note that our students are engaged in learning. Your best opportunity to speak with faculty will be during the evening sessions. Here is the schedule.
Monday January 28th 8:30 am
Monday Februrary 4th 11:30 am
Monday February 11th 8:30
4)  Q How are students selected for magnet admission?
A
Acceptance into magnet programs is based on a random selection process. Every effort will be made to provide parents written notification of their child’s enrollment status by mid-April. Applicants who are not selected in the initial process due to lack of space will be placed in a waiting pool and maybe offered the opportunity to enroll later in the year, if space becomes available. If no space becomes available during the year, those in the waiting pool must reapply the following year if they still wish to attend the magnet school.
5)  Q How many spaces are available in the magnet program for students? How are magnet students selected?
A
Magnet seats are determined by the School assignment office. Traditionally, approximately 40% of our seats are for magnet students. The number of available seats differs by grades as they are only made available when other magnet students vacate the position. Kindergarten is the best chance of getting an availble seat. All magnet students are selected by a lottery system. Preference is given to siblings of existing enrolled students.
6)  Q Is there an after school care program for magnet students?
A
All General Greene students are eligible for the ACES program. Guilford County schools offers this highly economic option for parents seeking care for their children after school. Please read the details about our ACES program details by clicking here. You may also read about the program in general by going to the ACES section of the Guilford County Schools website.
7)  Q How is the magnet program at General Greene different from a traditional education?
A
General Greene integrates science and technology into the entire academic program providing a hands-on discovery –based experience. In “the Imaginarium” science lab, students use state-of-the-art equipment to conduct chemistry, biology and zoology experiments as well as study astronomy, meteorology, physics and geology. The technology lab gives students and faculty access to the most advanced computers, document imaging and projection equipment, student digital cameras and PDAs along with school wide WiFi access. Science and Technology is used throughout the academic day to build and enhance the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.
8)  Q With so much emphasis on science & technology, do General Greene students have a chance to explore other specials?
A
YES! We have a full team of specialist that work dilligently to provide our students with many positive experiences. Every student has weekly opporutniites with a PE specialist; Media specialist; Art specialists; Music specialist; and Spanish language specialists. In addition, the schools field trip opporutunities provides experiences at the Opera, Sympony, various theatrical productions; sporting events; historical venues and much more. Lastly, our PTA provides a multi-cultural club to allow students a chance to experience music, culture, ,food and traditions from countries around our beautiful globe.
9)  Q How does General Greene decide what to teach students in the magnet concentration?
A
All Guilford County Schools are required to teach the objectives on the "Standard Corse of Study" for North Carolina. General Greene staff diligently prepares our students to suceed with these skills, but augments the lessons with strong science and / or technological themes. In addion, members of the staff have received additonal training to help them integrate our magnet concentration into the base curriculum so that students receive the complete instruction as required by the Department of Public Instuction, but additional opporutnities as well.
10)  Q Where can I get statistical information about the school?
A
Information such as class size, demographical information and past year ABC scores are all available from the Department of Public Instrcution website. Click here for a link to the General Greene report card which will show you the latest years information.
11)  Q Does General Greene offer services for Exceptional Children?
A
Yes. Our dedicated Exceptional Children staff works with classroom teachers to provide appropriate services to all identified students.