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MicroSociety As a Theme for Your District
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“When I first saw my first MicroSociety school, I knew that I was in a learning environment of best practices. It was easy to see young leaders engaged in decision-making in and out of the classroom.”
Dr. Robert Brooks, Executive Director
Magnet Schools of America
July 2009
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Ten Years of Success
In just the past 10 years, MICROSOCIETY has helped over 30 districts create unique, award-winning magnet and theme-based schools. Children want to learn and succeed when learning is made relevant to their lives. Using the MicroSociety program’s real world activities as a framework for your theme attracts parents and generates excitement in your community while ensuring a high-quality education for children.
Click this link to view a recent press release about our 2009-2010 Microsociety’s Magnet Showcase Sites
We help your district by:
- Offering a highly innovative, research-based educational program that brings more diverse groups of children together.
Eugenio Maria de Hostos MicroSociety Magnet,
2009 School of Distinction |
- Improving student achievement and strengthen students’ knowledge of 21st century skills to succeed in the global marketplace.
- Gaining parent commitment to keep the entire school community on track and working together with shared values and guiding principles.
- Aligning theme with district and state standards.
- Improving district capacity to obtain federal funding and sustain the program after federal funding ends.
- Providing high-quality professional development and ongoing support.
MicroSociety as a Framework for Other Themes
Download Arts and Magnet School Profile PDF 
The MicroSociety® program is also a framework for these common themes:
STEM, 21st Century Learning, Careers and Technology, Visual and Performing Arts, Character Development, Leadership, Business and Economics. and ongoing
support.
MicroSociety Magnet School Showcase Sites
Maximo MicroSociety and Visual Arts Elementary School
A Visual and Performing Arts MicroSociety School, 2008 School of Distinction, Magnet Schools of America
The MicroSociety program and the visual and performing arts are completely integrated into the curriculum at Maximo. The cobblestone floors, street signs, mailboxes, park benches, and street lights create the look of a community. Hallways are lined with colorful lighted storefronts and award-winning student displays. Artwork is everywhere. Students support their economy by purchasing art and handmade crafts and tickets for street performers and choral and dramatic off Broadway Shows with their hard earned "Micro" money. Then they review social and academic connections each morning on closed circuit TV. | Pinellas County Public Schools - St. Petersburg, FL
 Grades: PK-5
1189 students
58% Black
18% White
9% Multiracial
9% Hispanic
4% Asian/Pacific Islander
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Set up a site visit to this school
Noah Webster MicroSociety Magnet School
A Science and Global Studies MicroSociety Model
Science literacy is big at Webster – it is “world” wide! All “Micro” scientists are assessed by their ability to articulate and teach the content and skills they have learned “on the job” at school. Tour of the Planet and the Multicultural Museum are popular classroom stops on Market Day. MicroSociety student inventors were also invited to compete at the Connecticut Invention Convention this May. Artifacts from around the world and butterfly gardens drawn to scale are hot items for sale in the “Micro” gift shop. |
Hartford School District - Hartford, CT
Grades: PK - 8
625 students
42% Black
37% Hispanic
21% White
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Watch our video
Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary School
A Government and Citizenship MicroSociety School in a Large Urban School District
San Diego Unified School District - San Diego, CA
Joyner, a new magnet school, draws 100 students from the more difficult and transient areas outside of the neighborhood.
The tax rate has been a point of contention more than once at Joyner, but students have learned first-hand to appreciate that they must pay for government services. And with all the new “citizens” arriving in need of work, the employment office managers, in their clip-on ties, help their peers learn to pay their bills and they gain skills they need to land jobs. Each year, the elected officials craft or amend their “Micro” Constitution that sets out the laws to protect their society in miniature, including an EPA, a court system, Peacekeepers, even a fire and safety marshal. Attendance now exceeds 98.8%. |
Grades: K-5
991 students
68% Hispanic
31% Black
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Thoreau Demonstration Academy
A Citizenship, Government and Communications MicroSociety Model in a Middle School
The first middle school in the nation to be awarded Ambassador status by MICROSOCIETY, Thoreau has earned the commitment of community partners and captures the attention of the state’s Chief School Officer. |
Tulsa Public Schools - Tulsa, Oklahoma
Grades: 6-8
517 students
38% Black
42% White
10% Hispanic
“I took the legal lessons straight from my law book but never imagined they would grasp the issues. Going far beyond what I planned to cover, they are presenting legal arguments from their own thinking and not from my teaching!”
-Sandra Warren, Attorney Community Partner
and Student Mentor MicroSociety Court |
Read more about this school
Set up a site visit to this school
Watch our video
“Middle school appears to be the ripe time in students’ academic careers for MicroSociety,” she says. “It is extremely valuable in a global economy that recognizes individual achievement in terms of innovation, teamwork, critical thinking, cultural adaptability and job flexibility.”
- Sandy Garrett, Oklahoma State Superintendent
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Conestoga Elementary School
An Economics, Financial Literacy, and Entrepreneurship MicroSociety Model in a Large Urban School District
In just one year, students in Pioneersville have tackled some tough issues like crafting a budget, setting tax rates, and approving legislation to help boost the economy. Already an economics and math magnet, Conestoga enables students to now apply those skills while developing a strong work ethic and citizenship skills in their MicroSociety program.
Building in Sustainability: Wowed by the school’s success, Wells Fargo Bank, The Federal Reserve, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Kiwanis, Weis, Mutual Funds, Winners Circle, Union Pacific, and University of Nebraska-Omaha are committed community partners. |
Omaha Public Schools - Omaha, NE
Grades: PK-6
292 students
71% Black
15% Hispanic
13% White
1% Asian/Pacific Islander
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Alexander Elementary MicroSociety School
A Science, Citizenship, and Economics Magnet MicroSociety Model in a Mid-Sized School District
The school town of Alexandria, is operated entirely by PreK-4th grade citizens. For the right fee, young scientists escort you through their Egyptian excavation in full archeological regalia. Recycles collects used cardboard and Styrofoam for warehouse bargain hunters. How-To-Books explain this month’s science experiments, which have been hot items for sale. Meanwhile pint-sized postal workers pedal by ontricycles to deliver the mail. One 4th grader opened a taxi service for handicapped students. He became so successful, he bought out the competition! |
Jackson-Madison County Public Schools - Jackson, TN
 302 students
Mid-Size
87% Black
10% White
3% Hispanic
Read more about this school
Set up a site visit to this school
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“It’s not an add-on program. It brings the real world right into the fabric of the school.”
Rich Cansdale,
Chief Innovation and Choice Officer
San Diego Unified School District
Magnet Schools Assistance Program Award Recipient, 2007 | | |