APS families turn out for annual School Choice Fair

The School Choice Fair hosted by Albuquerque Public Schools on Tuesday night saw no shortage of magnet schools families could choose from. The same could be said about the initiatives the schools showcased at the Berna Facio Professional Development Complex, where the fair was held.

A 3D printer from West Mesa High School churned out miniature red, green and blue Pokémon figures. Dash, a three-wheel robot from the Silicon Valley-based company Wonder Workshop, rolled around the floor as Zuni Elementary School students controlled them with tablets. Facials, lash baths and massages were provided to community members by students of the Early College Academy and the Career Enrichment Center.

“I love it — (the school) allows me to create whatever I want, design whatever I want,” said Jesse Pittman, a junior at West Mesa High School, who said he has made other items, like a prosthetic hand, with 3D printers at his school.

The fair’s purpose was to give families time to consider their options before enrolling their students in any one of APS’ 26 magnet schools for the next school year, according to school district officials. Open enrollment starts in January and officials encourage parents to complete the process as soon as possible. Some magnet schools, including Coronado, Desert Willow and Coyote Willow Elementary, have a waiting list, they said. Approximately 11,000 kids are enrolled in APS’ magnet schools.

The fair, which had 512 people attending this year, compared with 440 last year, allowed families to learn about the schools without having to make individual visits to each campus, said Francesca VerPloegh, executive director for the Office of Innovation and School Choice.

“We’ve worked hard, in the last few years, to create a portfolio of options for students and parents to send their kids that are excited and can leverage their academic achievements, such as STEM education, dual-language and International Baccalaureate,” she said.

Magnet schools are one choice, which allow families publicly funded educational options for their children. The schools provide a unique curriculum apart from the traditional public school. Magnet schools differ from charter schools, which are independently run but are monitored by school districts in exchange for having their own rules and regulations.

Patricia Gallegos, principal of San Antonito Elementary School in Sandia Park, was one of numerous APS administrators who was on hand at the fair to answers families’ questions. Her elementary school emphasizes project-based learning with an environmental focus and has been named a National Magnet School of Distinction by Magnet Schools of America.

“(School choice) means families have opportunities to figure out what school is going to meet their child’s needs. We all learn differently, we all have a different interests,” Gallegos said. “I think, sometimes, it’s hard for families to have choices just because they don’t know what APS has to offer. This event allows us to showcase all of those things.”

Jeff Allen, whose son Max attended a charter school before transferring to Zuni Elementary School, understands the significance of school choice.

“When I was growing up, there was only one school to go to — it was the school in your district and it was very hard to transfer,” Jeff said. “Having a choice where they can pick and choose different schools based on the different offerings is fantastic.”

Some parents the Journal spoke with at the fair were sure about their choice to send their children to a magnet school. Others were still exploring their options or learning about the magnet school concept.

Melissa Lane, a Coronado Elementary School parent, said it was important to send her kids to a school with a dual-language mission so they could learn Spanish.

“I want to make sure my children get an education that I didn’t get,” said Lane, who noted she works in a hospital and can find it difficult to find a translator to assist her with patients.

Another parent, Kimberly Chwojdak, came to the fair to learn what magnet schools are and whether any would be a good fit for her daughter.

“I think the selections are really impressive,” Chwojdak said. “All the representatives have been really helpful.”

She noted she is still trying to learn what a magnet school is.

“I was under the impression it was more like a charter school, but I was told it is not — so I am not totally sure,” Chwojdak said.

S.Y. Jackson Elementary School parents Aaron and Emily Mullenix have a daughter, Olive, who is about to go into middle school. Olive is interested in art, theater and music, and the Mullenixes are looking for a school that provides that programming.

Emily said she likes Roosevelt Elementary School for its elective classes, while Olive said the Janet Kahn School of Integrated Arts appeals to her.

Emily Mullenix said the draw to magnet schools is “the specialties and focus that they have. When I was in school, they had already gotten rid of art and music ... so it’s nice to see that.”

Max Allen, a fifth grader at Zuni Elementary School, drove around the Dash robot on the floor of the complex while he promoted his school. He transferred to Zuni from a charter school and he said he likes his elementary school more.

“I feel like I’m learning more about technology and STEM,” Max said. “It’s way better and way more productive than a charter school because we do more STEM-related activities.”

His father, Jeff, said enrolling his son in a magnet school has been a good experience for the family.

“The biggest thing is we wanted him introduced to technology at a younger age,” Jeff said. “There’s only so much that we have at our house.”

Jeff Allen believes Max is getting “a different perspective” on education compared to a charter school.

“This school (Zuni) being more technology-driven, he stays more engaged,” Jeff said.