Magnet Program
The Magnet Application will be available to fill out digitally starting in January 2025. Applications are due on a date TBA.
January 21-24: Magnet exploration week
January 22: Magnet assembly for 9th graders during Skytime
January 22: Magnet Applications become available online
January 27: Magnet Applications due
TBA: Magnet Lottery
Magnet programs provide students with a thematic focus, instructional continuity, and opportunities to apply academics to problem-solving in real-world experiences. Magnet enrollment choices are made by Skyline students during the application process in the ninth grade year.
- Four magnet themes
- Approximately 100 students per magnet
- Specialized learning spaces and equipment
- Academic foundation
- Real world applications
Why magnets?
Ann Arbor Skyline High School magnet programs provide flexible hands-on learning experiences that empower learners to reach their potential. The theme-based approach promotes many of the factors associated with effective schools, chiefly, innovation in program and practice, staff and curricular coherence, increased parent and community involvement, and greater student engagement, all of which add up to higher student achievement.
What Do the Magnet Programs Look Like?
Magnet programs at Skyline High School are introduced to all freshman students within the context of their regular academic core classes. This exploration will provide both a chance to better understand the themes and learning environments of the magnets and will also give all students an opportunity to consider their own personal interests so that, whether they select a magnet or not, they will begin to think of the choices and opportunities in their futures.
Magnet program enrollment begins with an application process during the ninth-grade year with the coursework starting during the tenth-grade year. Students selecting the magnet programs are making a commitment to continue in their magnet until graduation. The academic courses in each magnet meet the same curriculum requirements and standards of regular academic classes and have the opportunity to focus that content on complex thinking and problem-solving in the themed area. In the senior year, magnet students culminate their learning experience through an internship or senior project.
The program offers a robust interdisciplinary curriculum to engage students in a logical progression of knowledge, skills, and application. Magnet programs foster literacy, imagination, competency, and creativity in a thematic environment conducive to high achievement.
Specialized equipment and learning spaces provide additional support for innovative curricula and instructional approaches. Technology and real-world applications are infused throughout the curriculum and connected across the academic disciplines.
Magnet programs provide students with instructional continuity, a focus on complex thinking and applied knowledge, and a chance to sample the real-world connection of academics and personal skills to problem-solving and achievement. Each magnet program has developed partnerships with local businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations.
Four Magnet Themes
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Health and Medicine - Biomedical Sciences Students explore concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology and public health. Through activities students examine the processes, structures and interactions of the human body – often playing the role of biomedical professionals. Students explore the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, working collaboratively to investigate and design innovative solutions to the health challenges of the 21st century. Students conduct biomedical research and have the ability to earn college credit.
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Design Technology Engineering & Programming Students explore innovations that change and shape our human design world. They apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, to find practical solutions for real-world issues. Through hands-on, problem-solving activities, students will understand how technology and society affect each other. Utilizing computer design, prototyping, and modeling systems students focus on technological innovations for an environmentally sustainable society.
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| Communication, Media and Public Policy Students engage in inquiry, research and digital media production in the field of public policy. Public policies are the laws, regulations, decisions and actions of government that impact everyone’s lives. Students develop skills in communication in all stages of production from concept to delivery. By examining public policies relating to individual rights, healthy families, cultural diversity and sustainable environments, students develop skills required to be leaders in an interdependent global community.
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Business, Marketing and Information Technology Students explore the dynamics of business, marketing, and entrepreneurship within a global society. Students study production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They use key technology applications, like information management systems, graphics, and web design to connect local and global markets through business planning, management, marketing, advertising.
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Magnet Sequence
9th GradeWho: Students explore magnet themes as part of course work in their academic classes.
Focus: Magnet exploration and Enrollment Application
10th Grade
Who: Students who select and enroll in a magnet program
Focus: Topics, Technology and Applications
Magnet themes are investigated with focus on the types and value of accomplishments of professionals associated with the theme. Students develop an understanding of the scope and interconnected nature of topics and careers within the theme.
11th Grade
Who: Students in the magnet program
Focus: Connection, Specialization, and Development
At this level, students build on prior knowledge and experience and become directly involved in fields associated with their magnet theme. Magnet students work with professionals and community partners in selected experiences such as workplace observations, training in and use of professional technology, and opportunities for projects or service learning.
12th Grade
Who: Students in the magnet program
Focus: Year of Achievement
In their senior year, magnet students culminate their experiences and demonstrate their accomplishments through a senior project/thesis and/or internship with a professional partner. These opportunities are built on the skills and knowledge students have developed in their magnet program.
Magnet Program 4-Year Curriculum - Sample
| Subject Area | 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
| Mathematics | 1st Year of Algebra* Geometry or Geometry AC* |
Geometry 2nd Year Algebra 2nd Year Algebra AC |
2nd Year Algebra Pre-Calculus or Pre-Calculus AC Statistics AP |
Pre-Calculus, Calculus or Calculus AP Statistics AP |
| Science | Biology* | Physical Science | Chemistry or Chemistry AP Physics |
Physics or Physics AP Biology AP |
| English | English 9* World Literature* |
English 10 American Literature |
English 11 AP English Language and Composition Electives Available |
English 12 AP English Language and Composition Electives Available |
| Social Science | World History* | U.S. History U.S. History AP African American Humanities-AC American Studies |
U.S. Gov't/Civics (semester) U.S. Gov't/Politics AP (semester) Economics (semester) Economics AP (semester) |
Social Science Elective(s) (Recommended) |
| Electives or other required courses | Physical Education World Language Visual/Performing/ Applied Arts Health Education Music Other electives (see course handbook) |
Physical Education World Language Visual/Performing/ Applied Arts Health Education Music Other electives (see course handbook) |
Physical Education World Language Visual/Performing/ Applied Arts Health Education Music Other electives (see course handbook) |
Physical Education World Language Visual/Performing/ Applied Arts Health Education Music Other electives (see course handbook) |
| Magnet Program | Magnet Course I
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Magnet Course II
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Magnet Course III
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*Magnet Exploration integrated into all academic core classes during the 9th grade
Magnet connected classes in red
Magnet connected classes in red
