Union County Magnet High School

The Union County Magnet High School (UCMHS) is a magnet school in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. The Magnet School has approximately 270 students. The Mission Statement of the school says the school wishes to prepare students for college/vocational training utilizing technology through problem solving, project-based learning, and interdisciplinary education. Students must apply to enter the school and the school turns away approximately 2/3 of applicants.

Legal implications

Since its creation, UCMHS has been controversial. There are 21 districts that are contained within the Union County Vocational Technical Schools District (UCVTSD). Following the creation of this school in 1997, a number of these districts filed suit against UCMHS. Scotch Plains, New Jersey petitioned the state Board of Education to force the exclusion of students from their district from the Magnet School. (See third external link below.) Rahway, New Jersey refused to allow Rahway students attending Magnet to participate in Rahway extracurricular programs. (See fourth external link below.) Their argument was that Magnet was taking the best students away from their home districts, that Magnet was drawing funds away from the home districts, and that they have to pay for transportation to Magnet.

Magnet won each of these suits because it is, legally, a Vocational-Technical school (a school which offers a vocational education) that offers certification in drafting (90% of students must pass the ADDA). Simply put, Magnet exists officially for the training of draftsmen and engineers.

The final case against UCMHS was the case launched by the City of Linden, New Jersey. It was resolved late in 2002 in favor of UCMHS. Linden ran a science school within its own district where it sent its gifted and talented students. They argued that their program was comparable to UCMHS allowing them to keep their students and not have to pay into the county school. The UCMHS argued that the programs were not comparable, as evidenced by Linden students desiring to leave their home district in favor of Magnet.

Distribution of funds was also a hot, though unofficial, topic of this case. The sending districts receive approximately $9000 annually for each student, while Magnet would receive $6000 for a student. The remaining $3000 which the home district keeps more than covers the transportation fees, sometimes leaving the sending district over $1000 of profit. Regardless, some districts were still not satisfied.

In the end, these cases proved that in New Jersey, at least, a school at the county level may compete with local schools, opening up a future potential for specialization and competition in public schools.

Educational implications

The school's mission states that it focuses on science, math, and technology. Consequently, students are required to take one course in each topic every year. Some of the technology courses which include topics in engineering, design, computer programming, 3D animation, and architecture, are offered in conjunction with the Union County College (UCC) and students receive college credit for those courses. Very high level math courses are offered and almost every student completes courses up to Calculus I and the highest level students take courses up to Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations. The school offers minimal arts courses, such as film and genre, humanities, and communications/media, because the school's main focus is math, science, and technology.

The school also offers 9 AP (Advanced Placement or college)level courses: AP Chemistry, Biology, Physics Mechanics, Physics Electricity and Magnetism, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, European History, English Literature, and Government/Politics. These courses are geared towards passing the AP exam, which is taken in May. If students receive a 3 or higher on the AP exam, they can receive college credit for that class (depending upon the college).

Interdisciplinary learning is encouraged, with English language and History classes being at the forefront of integration. Computers are used in every class, often for research. Using the internet as a substitute, the School has no library.

Students also receive certifications in First Aid (Red Cross), CPR (Red Cross), and Drafting (through the ADDA).

Graduation requirements are as follows: 4 years of English, 4 years of Fitness/health, 4 years of technology, 3 years of social studies, 4 years of Math, 4 years of laboratory science, 3 years of world language (only French or Spanish are offered). Students are required to serve 40 hours of community service with at least two different activities.

Culture and extracurriculars

Magnet is accepting and open to new cultures and tries to recognize and celebrate these cultures through the Multicultural Club, Spanish Club, and French Club. In addition to this club, there is also drama club, science olympiad and math league for those interested in science and math competitions, golf club, community service club, robotics, Magnet Inventors Team, chess club, technology club, yearbook committee, art club, newspaper committee, video wall committee, class councils (one for each grade), and student council (whole school). Most clubs meet during lunch.

The Magnet House Band, consisting of a drummer, a guitarist, a bassist, a pianist, occasional brass, and the principal's vocals, provides live music at many school events and assemblies. It is the only outlet for musicians in the entire school. It is currently in disarray since the principal is leaving, however, it still exists.

The school holds dances about once a month and annually, Magnet hosts a talent show and the Coffee House, which is put together by the drama club.

Magnet does not offer any sports, but students are allowed to join sports teams in their home districts, which takes the place of sports teams at Magnet.

Building

The building that houses UCMHS was constructed in the 1960s and housed a portion of (UCC) through the 1970s. It was abandoned through the mid 1990s when the UCVTSD had the building gutted and renovated. UCMHS opened in 1997 and since then the building has seen minor renovations and the addition of a glass atrium to the fitness center. Following the major renovations in the mid-1990s, the building was named Mancuso Hall after the Chairman of the Union County Board of Education at the time.

The facade of the building features faux-stone over the staircases, which project from the building, and a series of white and brown gravel coated concrete panels, each containing a trapezoidal window. The building contains many windows and glass walls to the extent that in some places one can stand on one side of the building and see through the other side of the building giving the school the unofficial nickname,"The Fishbowl". Inside, the building features white walls and blue metal-lashed windows. The majority of the school is carpeted, with the exception of rubber floors in the fitness center and laboratories and tile in the lower floor hallway. The building is two stories.

The building is equipped with various modern conveniences, including a central clock system, an intercom, fully automatic restrooms, computer network, telephone, AV connections in every room, and low-glare light diffusers.

Students' views

Student opinions vary as to the quality and effectiveness of the school. Many are discouraged by what they see as large workloads and little attention paid to actual education, with more emphasis placed on so-called 'busywork'. Several students have left the school and gone back to their sending districts. On the other hand, many students acknowledge that the experience has been a positive one for them as well, uniting them for the first time with a community made up entirely of other intelligent students. In addition, students are pleased to find that after graduating, they were prepared for college and many believe college is just like Magnet. Students also receive more acceptances to colleges because of their preparation and credentials (classes, extracurriculars, SAT scores, etc).