The following information is from the magnet school in Burlington, Vermont.
About the Sustainability Academy
Sustainability: the shared responsibility for improving the quality of life for all – economically, socially, and environmentally, – now and for future generations
The Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes, a collaborative partnership of educators, families and the community, integrates the big ideas of sustainability into the curriculum and campus practices.
The goal of the Academy is to prepare students to be responsible citizens and agents for change, in their community and beyond. The Academy is an international model for using sustainability as a lens for place-based education and service learning. We maintain the highest expectations for academic and personal growth for all of our students and embrace the rich economic and cultural diversity of our community.
The Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes will employ the methods and pedagogy of Education for Sustainability (EFS) – learning that links knowledge, inquiry, and action to help students build a healthy future for their communities and the planet. The Burlington School District will build upon its partnership with Shelburne Farms, a national leader in sustainability education, to bring the sustainability magnet school to life. Shelburne Farms has worked with the BSD for the past eight years to pilot the Sustainable Schools Project in two elementary schools and has provided professional development to 90% of our elementary teachers.
Shelburne Farms’ project in sustainability at the Academy has resulted in a palpable sense of community that emanates beyond the school walls. Reports from an independent evaluation team conclude that the sustainability work has improved student engagement (especially for students with special needs), increased community engagement in schools, and presented new opportunities for family involvement.
For the past four years, sustainability has been integrated into the curriculum, campus practices and culture at Lawrence Barnes Elementary. Teachers have reported that they have increased their use of the local environment/community for teaching and learning and that their students are more motivated to learn because they are engaged and invested in their community. The sustainability magnet will be a first-of-its-kind and will serve as a model for the state of Vermont and beyond.
Shelburne Farms’ work in sustainability has attracted the attention of the Society for Organizational Learning (SoL) and its education partnership, and their work in sustainability at Barnes was featured in a recent weeklong conference with Peter Senge. Through this international network of top business executives and education leaders, we will be able to publicize the lessons learned and successes of this sustainability magnet school. Shelburne Farms will help to expand upon and facilitate additional community partnerships with local and national organizations to ensure constant innovation and improvement in the fields of sustainability and education at Barnes.
1) How do I apply to a magnet school if I have a child entering kindergarten?
• You need to complete an application form for the magnet schools along with a complete
registration packet. You can pick these up at any elementary school or at Burlington
School District Offices at 150 Colchester Ave. Also, both forms will be available on our
website, www.bsdvt.org.
2) How do I apply to a magnet school if I have an elementary student currently enrolled in
a Burlington School?
• If you have an elementary student currently at Barnes or Wheeler, you do not need to
apply.
• If you have an elementary student at Champlain, Smith, Edmunds or Flynn, you must
complete a magnet application form and registration packet.
3) When do I apply to the magnet schools?
• Application for the magnet schools is from March 4th through March 13th. Decisions
will be made the week of March 16th. Applications received after March 13th will be
considered based upon space available.
4) If I am not interested in a magnet school, and I have an incoming kindergartener, when
do I apply?
• Kindergarten registration is March 24th and 25th. You may register at any elementary
school or the Burlington School District Offices at 150 Colchester Ave.
5) Is there special criteria for the magnet schools?
• Yes. The criteria for the magnet school includes: socio-economic balance (reflecting the
diversity in our community), siblings, proximity, school and classroom capacity.
6) Will the criteria be weighted? What is the weighting?
• Yes. The weighting will be prioritized as follows:
1. Socio-economic balance (reflecting the diversity in our community)
2. Siblings at the magnet school
3. Proximity to magnet schools
4. School and classroom capacity.
Building a Learning Community
BURLINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
EEO: This material is available in alternate formats for persons with disabilities.
To request an accommodation, please call 1. 800.253.0101 (TTY) or 1.800.253.0195 (voic e).
JEANNÉ COLLINS ~ SUPERINTENDENT
150 COLCHESTER AVE.. ~ BURLINGTON VT 05401
PHONE: 802-865-5332 ~ FAX: 802-864-8501 ~ WEBSITE: WWW.BSDVT.ORG
7) What is the decision time line and process?
• Students will be assigned to a magnet school or be placed on a waiting list. The week of
March 23rd we will notify parents by mail whether they are assigned to the magnet
schools. If your child is not assigned to a magnet school, you will be asked to choose
from the other schools and will be offered the opportunity to be on a wait list for
decisions in May.
8) What does socio-economic integration mean?
• This means that all schools reflect a similar balance of students, based on free or reduced
school meal status, as in the district as a whole.
9) What is the timeline for socio-economic integration of the schools?
• We anticipate a six year time line.
10) How were teachers chosen to teach at the magnet schools?
• Teachers at both schools have participated in intensive professional development related
to the magnet theme for their school. Following that Professional Development, teachers
were given the option to stay and teach or to transfer to another school. Teachers who
remain indicated their interest to stay because of their commitment to the magnet school.
11) Do students in the Barnes and Wheeler neighborhood have a neighborhood school?
• These two magnet schools are citywide schools. Therefore, students in the Old North End
may choose from any school in the city, subject to capacity.
12) What if I don’t get my application in on time?
• Applications received after March 13 will be considered as space is available.
13) Where can I get more information?
• You can get more information at www.bsdmagnet.com or at www.bsdvt.org.
14) Have another question?
• Let us know what it is so we can add it to the list. Send your question to