Instead of holding an open house for prospective students and their parents on Saturday, Tulsa magnet schools took their sales pitch to the place where many families can be found on weekends -- the mall.
Special course offerings from Tulsa Public Schools' existing magnet programs were on display, while Hale and Webster high schools unveiled demonstrations of their new magnet curricula at the TPS Magnet School Fair at Woodland Hills Mall.
Hale Principal Chris Johnson touted his school's new Restaurant and Lodging/Health and Dietetics program, while other school officials showed passersby an easy recipe for hummus.
"Students will receive a certificate of completion at the end -- they'll be ready to be employed when they get out of school," Johnson said.
TPS is also working with Tulsa Community College and Oklahoma State University to create opportunities for students to earn college credit while enrolled in the Hale program, Johnson said.
At another booth, senior Brandon Simpson demonstrated the digital video editing techniques he has learned at Webster High School this year.
The course he is taking will likely become a staple in Webster's new Broadcasting and Digital Media magnet program, which is set for a fall 2007 debut along with Hale's new program.
"Students will learn how to edit, make videos, and the school will have its own television show, and possibly a radio show," Simpson said. "I think it will attract new students because kids are all about technology."
Students from Memorial High School's Engineering Academy were wowing young children with the robots they have developed for competition.
"If you want to pursue anything technological, this is really some of the best experience you can get in high school," said junior Maxwell Harris.
Harris said he is interested in becoming a mechanical engineer like his father, but senior Kaylee Davis-Maddy quickly added that the program is beneficial to students with other plans, as well.
"I hate science, but I love robotics. And I really got involved to develop my leadership skills. We do all of our own fundraising, management, scheduling and budgeting," she said.
Central High School showed off its fine arts magnet program with performances by student vocal and dance groups.
"There are a lot of great things going on at Central that people in Tulsa should know about," said Josh Igo, a junior.
Other programs featured at the Magnet School Fair included McLain High School for Science and Technology, the college preparatory programs at Booker T. Washington High School and Edison Preparatory School, and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years programs at Carver and Wilson middle schools.
The deadline for student transfer requests and magnet school applications is Wednesday.
Transfer requests and magnet school applications are available in all school offices and at the Education Service Center, 3027 S. New Haven Ave.
For more information, call the TPS transfer office at 746-6336.
Andrea Eger 581-8470
andrea.eger@tulsaworld.com
