Magnet Schools Attract Students

Education is a key ideal that the Cerritos-Artesia communities always strive to uphold. The tools, philosophies and methods in which our students are taught have transformed throughout every generation implementing new technologies, programs and information. 

Last month, several schools in the district held an open house at the office, to inform students and their families of the distinct magnet programs each campus has to offer.

Teachers and faculty from various schools stationed at their respective booths used displays, computers, and models to promote their school's programs.

Schools in and around Cerritos-Artesia have established magnet programs focused on key subjects, while still offering the wide variety of traditional subjects such as: English, Math, Science and History. 

The more extensive and in-depth programs help youths commit to the school’s specific field in a more hands-on, practical and productive manner. This approach essentially helps prepare students for post-secondary education and a commitment to their chosen professional career. 

Fedde International Studies Academy, serving middle school students as a International Baccalaureate candidate school, focuses on the knowledge and skills to participate in a ever shrinking globalizing world. For seventh graders in the Global Scholars program, technology is taking a big step, with the implementation of Apple iPads to help research information, create projects and display presentations.

Spanish department Chair for Fedde, Angela Fernandez manages a very dedicated objective for all Fedde students, "To learn and speak Spanish as a second language," Fernandez says.

At the end of every school year a culmination of the Spanish the students have learned is published in a book, similar to a yearbook, of short stories and drawings entitled " Quien Soy Yo"-- who am I? The book contains short biographies written in Spanish by each student, their family heritage and hopes and dreams for the future.

At Aloha Elementary, its Health Medical Academy has five core foundations underlying their program: 

• Living things and the human machine
• Why we get sick
• Taking care of ourselves -- mind, body and soul
• Those who serve to keep us healthy
• Medical pioneers and discoveries

Aloha's sixth grade teacher, Vickie O'Donnell, teaches the importance of health, medicine and nutrition at the school. Through the program, students participate in lab exercises once a week. Medical workers in the industry such as paramedics and nurses also visit the school giving presentations on their respective careers. Nutrition and excercise is also a key focus at the shool with programs such as: Adventures in Cooking, Running for Reading and Health/Medical Career Day.

Below is a list of all ABC Unified District Magnet Schools and the school's theme:

• Aloha Elementary School - Health & Medical
• Artesia High School - Visual & Performing Arts and Math, Engineering and Science Academy
• - Visual, Performing and Folk Arts
• - Communication Arts
•  - World Navigators: Global Studies & Technology
• Furgeson Elementary School - Technology, Broadcasting and Communications
• Leal Elementary School - Arts in Motion: Visual & Performing Arts
• - Environmental Science & Technology
• - Multimedia Arts Production
• - International Studies
• Fedde Middle School - International Studies
• - Creative & Media Arts
• - Pre-Advanced Placement