How to Get the Most out of CMS

Not everyone realizes it, but Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools offers an extensive magnet program, which we have demystified here

August 1, 2008

Michelle Sims,

If you child wants to…

What is IB?

International Baccalaureate is a magnet program found in more than 2,000 schools in 128 countries. The program follows a challenging curriculum of six core subjects, including English, mathematics, social sciences, sciences, foreign language, and an elective in the arts or technology. At the end of the program, students take exams to receive their IB diplomas. Students can receive college credit for their IB courses, similar to AP credits.

Pros and Cons. Since IB is an international program, teachers go through extra training in their courses, including learning new techniques. IB classes are taught at a seondary level, making the transition to college classes easier. Students can receive college credit. Emphasis is placed on global learning, so your child will read literature from different countries and learn about global affairs, making them better aware of the world around them.

IB is for the student who is organized and doesn't mind extra work. IB requires more work than the average curriculum, including extra papers, projects, and exams. IB is also a pre-set curriculum, so there is less room for students to take extra electives. There are more graduation requirements, including 150 hours of community service and group projects.

How to get into IB. Students enter the program through the magnet lottery processå where they are randomly assigned a number. Students choose their top three schools, then a computer assigns students to schools. The Primary Years Program is open to everyone. To enter in middle school or in ninth grade, students must score at or above grade level in reading and math. Students must be in the program by ninth grade to participate in the Diploma Years.

How the program works. In the primary and middle years, students learn the standard curriculum, but at an accelerated pace. Internationalism is a key focus that's incorporated into all subjects. In ninth and tenth grade, students prepare for the Diploma Years by taking advanced English and mathematics courses, a second language, and chemistry, biology, or physics. In the Diploma Years, students study English, calculus, chemistry, biology or physics, history or psychology, a second language, and an elective in arts, such as music and theater, or technology. Types of classes depend on the school. Students also do a group science project and write a research paper on the subject of their choice. To pass the exam, students do internal assessments in all classes, including writing papers and taking oral exams. Before graduating, students must take tests in all six areas.

… Be the Next Monet, Yo-Yo Ma, or Broadway Star

Dilworth Elementary Students study Van Gogh, 2-D/3-D art, and architecture, plus learn to read music, sing in choirs, and write and perform their own scenes in drama class. Local artists help students with their skills.
University Park Creative Arts Elementary Teachers incorporate arts into the core curriculum by using drama to help students be more expressive in their writing, for example, or using dance and movement to study human anatomy. Guest artists, as well as, partnerships with the Community School for the Arts and Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, help further students' education in the arts.
Northwest Middle School for the Arts Starting in sixth grade, students learn visual and performing arts by participating in them. Students also have performance and exhibition opportunities at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Spirit Square, and McColl Center for Visual Arts.
Northwest School for the Arts The high school continues the immersion of the middle school, except here students choose a "major." Advanced Placement classes are offered in CMS's core curriculum, but there's no athletics program.

Dance: Choose either modern dance or ballet. Jazz and pointe classes are offered as electives.
Music: Within music are choral majors, with classes in chorus and treble choir, and instrumental majors, with classes in orchestra, piano, jazz, and symphonic band.
Theatre: Classes in drama, musical theater, playwriting, and technical theater.
Visual Arts: Classes in AP studio art, ceramics, drawing, fibers, painting, sculpture, and graphic design.

… Stay in the Tar Heel State

Early College at E. E. Waddell High School In ninth and tenth grade, students take higher-level and honors classes in the standard curriculum.
CPCC Waddell juniors and seniors take a minimum of forty-four credit hours, following the General Education core program, which, when completed, will fulfill the basic curriculum requirements for freshmen and sophomores at all UNC campuses. Plus, up to twenty credits in electives will transfer.
College All UNC campuses, including Chapel Hill and UNCC, accept credits from the CMS early college program, as do twenty private colleges, including Belmont Abbey, Brevard, and Pfeiffer University.

… Be the Next UN Ambassador

Oakhurst Elementary At Oakhurst, classes are structured around the Paideia Academy model. Classes are held as seminars, in which students respond to open-ended questions on assigned books. By offering their opinions on the book, students develop speaking skills and the ability to rationalize their opinions. Art seminars are similar, with students comparing pieces of art and music to develop high-level thinking skills. All students participate in the Accelerated Reader program.
Randolph Middle Seminars at Randolph allow for open-ended discussions, where students are able to learn how to approach problems from various viewpoints. For example, the first seminar of the year for all grade levels focuses on bullying. Based on the summer reading books, such as James Howe's The Misfits, students discuss bullying, peer pressure, and being different.
Academy of International Languages at West Mecklenburg High School In this magnet program at West Meck, students study Spanish, French, German, Japanese, or Latin, and enter the program based on their skills, in hopes of becoming bilingual. Students can also take Study of Civilizations, which teaches the customs of the country in the foreign language.
International Studies School at Garinger High School In this "school within a school," students learn about global affairs by infusing international aspects into all subject areas. Students learn a second language while studying current affairs and understanding the global dynamics of economics, technology, and politics.

… Be a Jet-setting Entrepreneur

Smith Academy Students from kindergarten through eighth grade can become fluent and literate in Chinese, German, French, or Japanese. Spanish is offered in grades six through eight. A true immersion school, classes are taught in the secondary language. Students also learn the customs and culture of the country, and many teachers are natives of those countries.
Oaklawn Elementary Based on Smith Academy, students can become fluent and literate in Spanish or French, while also learning the culture and customs of the countries. Classes are taught in Spanish and English, helping English speakers learn Spanish and vice versa.
Collinswood Language Academy With teachers from Spanish-speaking countries, students are completely immersed in the language. Spanish is taught the entire day in kindergarten and half the day in first through fifth grades.
Academy of International Languages at West Mecklenburg High School In this magnet program at West Meck, students study Spanish, French, German, Japanese, or Latin, and enter the program based on their skills, in hopes of becoming bilingual. Students can also take Study of Civilizations, which teaches the customs of the country in the foreign language.
International Studies School at Garinger High School In this "school within a school," students learn about global affairs by infusing international aspects into all subject areas. Students learn a second language while studying current affairs and understanding the global dynamics of economics, technology, and politics.

… Future Ivy Leaguer

The International Baccalaureate Program (See "What Is IB?", right.)
IB Primary Years Program Students are introduced to inquiry-based learning, transdisciplinary classes, and themes with global significance. Offered at Cotswold, Huntingtowne, Irwin Avenue Open, Lansdowne, and Statesville elementaries.
IB Middle Years Program From sixth through tenth grade, students participate in an intensive study of core subjects, and internationalism is a key component. Keeping the global perspective at the forefront, students learn about such issues as the environment and its importance to the global community. Students are also instructed in intercultural awareness and take classes in the arts and a second language. Select programs, such as Davidson IB, also encourage community service. Offered at Albemarle Road, Davidson IB, Piedmont Open IB, Randolph, Ranson IB, and Sedgefield middles and East Mecklenburg, Harding University, Myers Park, North Mecklenburg, and West Charlotte highs.
IB Diploma Years Juniors and seniors study six core subjects, including a second language. Students perform 150 hours of community service, and do multiple projects and a research paper to graduate.

… Wants to Learn Real-Life Skills

Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology Students learn the technical aspect of their chosen field and get hands-on experience by learning skills necessary for their chosen major. Students choose between three "career academics," and concentrate on a certain path within that subject. Students must pass the N.C. Computer Competency Test before entering.
Computer Science and Information Technology In this major, one possible course is networking and computer science. Students take courses in computer engineering technology and networking administration, which will prepare them for careers in computer processing and management. Students will also be qualified to take the certification exam to become Microsoft Certified Systems Administrators.
Architecture, Construction, and Engineering Technologies One possible course of study is Construction Engineering: Students learn to read and interpret blueprints, and assemble wood and other materials in the building of highways, bridges, and other structures. Students take such courses as construction technology, and a senior internship to gain real-world experience.
Medical Science and Biotechnology One possible course of study is Biotechnology: Students take courses to prepare for the health care field, including biotechnology, medical science, and biotechnical engineering.

This article appears in the August 2008 issue of Charlotte magazine.