A magnet school is a type of public school in the U.S. education system that offers specialized courses or curricula. They are designed to attract a diverse student body from across a district, emphasizing innovative instructional approaches like project-based learning. Magnet schools are part of the local public school system and are subject to regulation by the public school system that operates them, differentiating them from charter schools, which work under charters that provide more autonomy.

Here are some key features of magnet schools:

• Specialized curricula: Magnet schools usually have a special curricular focus, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), the arts, and vocational or career paths.

• Schools of choice: Children are enrolled based on their interest in the schools theme, not on where they live.

• Voluntary attendance: Attending magnet schools is voluntary.

• Designed to attract students from multiple districts: Magnet schools are designed to attract students from multiple districts, often with specialized programs that speak to students interests and career goals.

• History of desegregation: Magnet schools were first created to facilitate public school desegregation.

Magnet schools can be found at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. There is no one format for a magnet school, and they range from schools that immerse students into the world of flight to schools that emphasize the arts.