ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Children have many choices in schools, but particularly those in Orange County Schools’ magnet program. 

There are 46 different programs at 33 different sites across the district. The sign-up to be part of the specialized ‘academies’ for next year ends next month, on Feb. 15.

What You Need To Know

  •  Orange County Schools magnet program offers 46 different programs in 33 sites across district schools

  •  Maxey Elementary School students celebrate learning and enjoy it through curriculum like Art and Dance Academy 

  •  The deadline to register for magnets next year is on Feb. 15

At Maxey Elementary, students are dialing up their enthusiasm for learning, thanks to art and dance courses. The curriculum isn’t a core like math or reading, but is just as important, according to Kerry Czarnowsky.

“Core understanding of how to be creative for how to think outside of the box really is important for students,” says the art teacher, “they’ll suddenly light up and go, ‘oh yeah, I’m good at this!’"

Fourth grader Payge Strain selected the Dance Academy. It’s really helped to grow her confidence, she said.

“They bring more joy in people,” she said. “It’s fun to go to school. When I was in third grade, I hated school. When I got to fourth grade, I loved it."

Orange County’s magnet classes are known and valued for linking kids to successful studies in college and life after high school, the district touts.