Middle School Arts Magnet slots are available by application to YCSD students in grades 6-8. Students who are non-residents of York County are eligible to apply for the Magnet on a tuition basis. Applicants must have passed their previous year Reading SOL and achieved a grade of "B" or Higher in their most recent semester of English. Additionally, applicants must have a good record of citizenship
and attendance. Applying for the Magnet
Applications are available in each elementary and middle school and at the School Board Office, 302 Dare Road. A separate application must be submitted for each child (grades 6 - 8) wishing to attend the Middle School Arts Magnet. Dates and times for the submission of completed applications for the next school year may be obtained from the Queens Lake Middle School main office. Applications will be grouped by grade level for random, lottery-style selection. Getting To School
School hours for the Middle School Arts Magnet are the same as the regular school hours for Queens Lake Middle School (8:00 AM to 2:45 PM). Beginning in 2012-2013, transportation for out-of-zone students (meaning students zoned for schools other than Queens Lake Middle School) will not be available. Parents of out-of-zone students are responsible for arranging transportation to either: (1) Queens Lake Middle School or (2) an established Queens Lake Middle School bus stop. Home-School & SOA Participation
Students who are zoned for middle schools other than Queens Lake and who are offered a place in the Middle School Arts Magnet must enroll at Queens Lake Middle School as their home school if they choose to attend the Middle School Arts Magnet program. Participation in the Middle School Arts Magnet does not guarantee acceptance into the York County School of the Arts (SOA) in Grade 9. Middle School Arts Magnet students, as well as students from other middle schools, have the opportunity to apply/audition for admission to SOA in the second semester of their 8th Grade year. Magnet Courses and Schedule
Middle School Arts Magnet students take three 60-minute classes (Literary Arts - English, Theatre Arts - elective, and Rhythmic Arts - PE) at the York County School of the Arts (SOA) facility at Bruton High School. Students also take four classes (history, math, science, and elective/ Exploratory Wheel or foreign language) at Queens Lake Middle School. Participants in the Middle School Arts Magnet begin their day at Queens Lake Middle School with their first block class and then travel to SOA at BHS for Literary Arts (every day) and Theatre Arts and Rhythmic Arts (alternating days). Following their Magnet classes, students are transported back to Queens Lake Middle for lunch and the final block of the day. Literary Arts
Exploration of literature, writing, and language skills; creative and challenging interdisciplinary environment; composition; communication; critical thinking skills; extension of expressive talents beyond the ordinary; literature-based study to enhance skills needed for successful performance in subsequent English courses. (These courses replace middle school English courses.) Theatre Arts
Study of theatre from perspectives of history, culture, genres, and performance; consideration of the role of theatre arts in contemporary society; participation in theatrical productions and design efforts; distinguishing between the meaningful and the mediocre in the arts. (These courses serve as middle school electives.) Rhythmic Arts
Participation in Dance as a healthy lifestyle as well as an art form; exploration of creative dance, improvisation, the basics of choreography, and a variety of dance forms; consideration of the diversity of style, historical, and cultural aspects of the rhythmic arts. (These courses replace middle school physical education courses.)
