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Dr. Darlene Tanner, Principal
4650 Manor-Millwood Road
Manor, GA 31550
Phone: 912-287-2338
Fax: 912-287-2337
Email: dtanner@ware.k12.ga.us
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Magnet School
Introduction
In August of 1993, a unique
school opened its doors for students in Ware County. The Ware
County School of Agricultural, Forestry, and Environmental Sciences,
located in Manor, GA, is the only agriculturally based magnet school
in the South and is the only kindergarten through twelfth grade
agriculturally based magnet in the country. The campus is
located in the midst of a pine forest on the edge of the Okefenokee
Swamp in southeast Georgia. In addition to its magnet
emphases, there is strong emphasis in math, science, and
technology.
The school was established in a time of great concern for the
future of agriculture, forestry, and the environment.
Realizing that these areas will generate a major portion of
Georgia's work force, administration, faculty, and staff seek
to prepare students for careers in these areas and are committed to
educating a diverse student body of approximately 450 students in an
intellectually challenging and caring atmosphere.
The Ware
County School of Agricultural, Forestry, and Environmental Sciences
envisions a hands-on approach to education that fosters an
appreciation of the environment. A college preparatory
curriculum that incorporates innovative technologies and is offered
to all students prepares them to excel in any career. The
goal of the school is to strive to become a national leader in the
areas of agriculture, forestry, and environmental education by
utilizing the support of parents, volunteers, and
industries.
School colors are purple and teal, and the school
mascot is the eagle.
PTO meeting dates and
programs
(All meetings begin at 7
p.m.)
Awards and
Testing
Students at the Ware County School of Agricultural, Forestry,
and Environmental Sciences (Ware Magnet) have always scored high on
standardized tests. Standardized tests are administered to all
students in grades kindergarten through twelve. In 1998, the
Georgia Public Policy Foundation ranked the Ware Magnet School
number five in the state of Georgia.
In
grades K-8 the students take the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills
(ITBS). The average percentile score nationally is 50.
Ware County Magnet students scored above the average in each area in
all grades K-8.
Students in grade 11 take the Georgia High School Graduation
Test (GHSGT). In order to graduate, students are required to
pass tests in language arts, mathematics, social studies, science,
and writing. All of the Ware Magnet students have passed each
area of the test prior to graduation.
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is required by many
colleges for admission. Approximately 88% of our students
take the SAT. Ware Magnet students' average on this test has
always exceeded the state average.
Students in high school may select the type of diploma they
wish to earn based on their future career plans. Each year
between 96-100% of Ware Magnet graduates receive a college
preparatory diploma. Approximately 89% of our graduates are
eligible for the HOPE Scholarship. Ware Magnet's dropout rate
is 0%.
Outdoor
Classroom
The traditional classroom has four walls, a door, and
twenty-five to thirty stationary desks within which types of
students with varied learning styles are expected to sit quietly
while the teacher tells them everything they are required to
learn. What the teacher does not tell them must be gleaned
from a variety of textbooks.
In many instances, the classroom
does not offer the best environment in which to learn.
Learning should be wide open with opportunities to explore the world
living far beyond those four walls.
If all students are to be
successful, teachers must organize the content in ways that allow
students to process information using their preferred learning
styles. The need to accomplish this goal provided the
inspiration for developing an outdoor classroom where children learn
by doing and by teaching others.
Currently, our outdoor
classroom/laboratory has twenty learning centers, which were built
by the combined efforts of students, teachers, parents, and
community volunteers. These stations include an amphitheater,
arboretum, bog garden, bird and bat habitats, butterfly garden, two
greenhouses, compass rose, compost bins, fish pond, growth rings,
herb garden, managed forest, unmanaged forest, Native American
Garden, observation deck, nature trails, turpentine tap, weather
station, United States map, and a reader's/writer's garden.
All of the centers provide hands-on activities that are truly
interdisciplinary.
Accelerated
Reader
Accelerated Reader, a reading management software program
designed to motivate and monitor student reading, began at the
school in the fall of 1998. Teachers in each school level
(elementary, middle, high) collaborate on how the AR system will
best benefit students in their schools. Incentives and awards
are given to students at various levels of achievement. An
Accelerated Reader 100 Point Club Wall of Fame has been established
in the school's media center where circulation of books has
increased dramatically.
An advantage of a K-12 school is the
ability to pair older and younger students for various learning
activities. During an AR Read-A-Thon for grades K-5, high
school students assisted kindergarten, first, and second grade
students one on one for a week resulting in new friendships and
admiration for one another.
Extracurricular
Activities
Students who choose to participate in extracurricular
activities representing our school are expected to maintain the
highest standards of conduct in the classroom and on the field of
competition or service. A variety of clubs, academic teams,
and athletic teams are provided for our students.
Academic
Bowl - The purpose of the Academic Bowl is to promote academic
competition. Academic Bowl is offered to all interested
students in grades 4-12.
Annual Staff - The Aquilla Staff
creates the yearbook. Students in grades 6-12 can apply for
membership.
Athletics - The Ware County Magnet School offers
a wide range of sporting activities including basketball, baseball,
tennis, cheerleading, softball, golf, and cross
country.
Envirothon - The Envirothon is a competitive outdoor
team event that stimulates, reinforces, and enhances interest in the
environment and natural resources. The Envirothon tests
students' knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology,
and current environmental issues.
FFA - The Future Farmers of
America is open to all 6-12 students, who have a strong interest in
agriculture.
Georgia Quiz Bowl-The Georgia Quiz Bowl's
purpose is to promote academic competition. Georgia Quiz Bowl
is open to all students in grades 4-8.
Literary Team - The Literary Team competes in the areas
girl's and boy's dramatic interpretation, girl's and boy's
extemporaneous speaking, girl's and boy's essay, girl's and boy's
spelling, girl's and boy's solo, girl's trio, boy's quartet, and
one-act play. Students in grades 9-12 may try out for the
literary team.
Math Team - The purpose of the Math Team is to
provide the students an opportunity to demonstrate mathematical
proficiency in a problem-solving setting. The Math Team is
open to all students in grades 6-12.
Mock Trial Competition -
The Mock Trial Team is formed to expose high school students to the
legal system and allows them the opportunity to participate in a
courtroom role-play situation.
National Honor Societies - The
purpose of the middle and high school National Honor Society Clubs
is to promote academic excellence. Membership in local
chapters is an honor bestowed upon a student. Selection for
membership is made by a faculty council and is based on outstanding
scholarship, character, leadership, and service.
Prom
Committee - The Prom Committee directs and advises Junior
activities. All Juniors are eligible to join and the final
committee decorates for the prom.
SAC - The purpose of the
Senior Advisory Council is to advise the senior coordinator on
activities such as graduation. Membership is composed of
senior class officers and representatives from the senior
homerooms.
Science Club - The purpose of the Science Club is
to provide science enrichment activities for students in grades
3-12. Members have the opportunity to participate in the
Science Olympiad sponsored by the Georgia Junior Academy of
Science. |
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