Wake schools receive $9M grant for magnet programs

The Magnet Schools Assistance Program will provide funding to Wake County's magnet program over the next three years.

The funding will support an international baccalaureate primary years program at Fox Road Magnet Elementary School, a leadership and world languages program at Green Magnet Elementary School and a leadership and technology theme at Carroll Middle School.

The grant will also support magnet school changes at Poe Magnet Elementary School and Moore Square Magnet Middle School.

Poe Principal Annice Williams said the money will help her school ramp up instruction of Mandarin and add strings instruction to its music program.

"It's been delayed until we come up with an opportunity to pay for those instruments," Williams said of the strings class.

With the grant money coming next month, she added, "We've got the orders ready."

Wake County's magnet program operates in more than 35 schools. The school system has previously received $36 million from the federal grant program.

"The grants are focused on implementation – resources, changes to facilities, training," said Cathy Moore, deputy superintendent for school performance.

The stage at Poe Elementary will be expanded and its outdoor amphitheater will be renovated, for example. Williams said those changes will enhance its arts instruction.

"Those are the kind of things that are really going to let Poe go to the next level with the program," she said.