The arts magnet center: A successful model for public arts education

Public education in the United States is at the forefront of today's social and political agenda. In the struggle to provide better quality education, an alternative structure known as the magnet school has attained success and popularity among students, parents and educators. This paper compares and contrasts the development, structure, curriculum, administration, and success rate of three magnet high schools for the creative arts. The schools examined include: New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (New Orleans, Louisiana); Greenville County Fine Arts Center (Greenville, South Carolina); and the Educational Center for the Arts (New Haven, Connecticut). From information provided by the schools and their school districts, this research confirms that half-day arts magnet high schools have been successful. Based on these three models of arts education, the thesis identifies elements necessary for the initiation, implementation, and maintenance of a successful high school arts center.