The May 1 deadline for families to sign up for School Choice is almost here, and any family interested in attending the Marion School District in the 2023-24 school year is encouraged to apply today.
In Arkansas, parents have the opportunity to send their children to any public school, regardless of where it is located, through the state's School Choice program. Applications for School Choice must be received by May 1 for enrollment in the following school year.
The School Choice application process is easy. The first step for interested families is to download an application from the registration page of the Marion School District website. Applications can also be picked up from the district’s Central Office, located at 200 Manor Street. Applications (hard copies) must be turned in by May 1. For the complete registration process, see below.
From its robust academic programming to its commitment to outstanding extracurricular programs, excitement is growing about the unique opportunities the Marion School District has to offer for families in the region.
At the core of the district’s approach is the understanding that every child learns in his or her own way. And the Marion School District strives to ensure that each student has a path to success, in the classroom and beyond. Whether it’s an innovative hybrid schedule, one of the state’s only on-campus health clinics, three award-winning magnet schools, or an abundance of other exceptional programs, the Marion School District is striving to meet the needs of local families.
Read on for more about what sets the Marion School District apart.
MAGNET SCHOOLS
The Marion School District introduced its K-6 magnet school system in 2018, giving parents the option to choose the school that best fits their child’s learning style and interests, while also maintaining a rigorous curriculum rooted in core academics.
At Marion Visual & Performing Arts Magnet, students learn problem-solving, time management, teamwork, effective communication skills, and more through a curriculum infused with visual arts, dance, drama, and music.
Marion Math, Science & Technology Magnet uses innovative strategies to engage the inquisitive child, including hands-on learning experiences in both mathematics and science labs.
At Herbert Carter Global Community Magnet, young scholars learn to be future leaders through a curriculum that combines rigorous academics with high expectations, project-based learning, and global awareness.
Learn more in the Marion magnet schools in this video:
SEVENTH-GRADE EXPERIENCE
Recognizing the unique educational needs of “tweens,” the Marion School District offers a specialized learning experience for its seventh graders. Located in a dedicated building, the Marion Seventh-Grade Experience provides a tailored learning environment tailored for students making the transition from elementary to secondary school.
CLUBS & EXTRACURRICULARS
No matter your child's interests, the Marion School District offers a diverse array of activities and clubs to enrich students’ education beyond the regular curriculum. At Marion High School and Marion Junior High School, students can pursue their individual interests in more than 20 clubs and other extra-curricular activities. Offerings include robotics, quiz bowl, baking, Future Business Leaders of America, debate, “FOR” Club, specialized clubs for French and Spanish, and many more. Marion was also one of the first schools in the region to offer an e-sports team.
The district also boasts a strong fine arts program, with numerous choirs, theater, and band groups and ensembles performing throughout the year. The Patriot Pride Band program experienced a historical run over the past several years, racking up an impressive stack of awards at marching competitions and sending a record number of students to the All-Region Band.
Learn more about how Marion enriches the education experience through its extracurricular programs in this video:
HYBRID CALENDAR
Marion launched its new Hybrid Academic Calendar for the 2021-22 school year, and the positive impact has been clear. The hybrid calendar essentially spreads out the school year, trimming time from summer vacation and adding two-week rejuvenation breaks after every nine weeks. Students and teachers still have a seven-week summer break, but they also get two-week breaks in the fall, winter, and spring. The number of days of instruction remains unchanged at 178.
Aside from extended breaks, the innovative calendar is also expected to increase student academic performance by reducing the summer learning loss that traditionally occurs between school years.
EDMENTUM
Marion High School and Marion Junior High School are taking a proactive approach to improve student academic performance through multi-faceted efforts that include the use of cutting-edge Edmentum diagnostics. This system helps teachers pinpoint each student’s specific strengths and needs via valid and reliable diagnostic assessments in reading, language arts, and math.
At MJHS, the program is incorporated into a daily "Patriot Time" class, when students get dedicated time to improve skills, work on deficient areas, get additional support from teachers, and work in small groups. A similar program at MHS called "PATH" (Professional Academic Training Hour) also includes time to help students manage their schedules, ACT prep, and dedicated time for school culture activities.
ATHLETICS
No matter what sport your child excels at, they will have a home at the Marion School District, which offers 15 sports at the varsity level. The Marion Patriots have won 10 state championships since 2006. Those titles have come across six sports, including volleyball, softball, boys and girls basketball, girls golf, and baseball, which claimed the 5A State Title in 2022.
Student-athletes at Marion compete at college-level facilities that are on par with any in the state. Marion students have access to turf fields at John Robbins Field at First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas Stadium and Southern Bancorp Stadium, which also feature other modern amenities. The 2,200-seat Fidelity Bank Arena hosts Marion's volleyball and basketball teams, which have combined for five state championships since 2010. A state-of-the-art softball field, featuring artificial turf, opened this spring at the Marion Recreational Complex.
SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CLINIC
In 2018, the Marion School District became one of the first school districts in Arkansas to offer a School-Based Health Clinic. Located on the campus of Marion High School, the clinic offers almost every service imaginable to its students and staff through a partnership with the East Arkansas Family Health Center
The clinic can do bloodwork, labs, and everything except X-rays, which are referred elsewhere. The clinic also does physicals for Marion athletes. Any student can get treatment at the clinic just by getting a signed consent form from their parent.
ALTERNATE EDUCATION
For some students, the traditional school format is not successful. That’s why Marion has implemented several alternative programs to ensure the academic, social, and wellness needs of every student are met.
One of these programs is called “The Hub.” The Hub is an academic pathway for students who may not thrive in the traditional school format. Students are referred for placement to The Hub for qualifying characteristics that indicate the presence of at least two barriers to their success in traditional academic programs. The program provides a path for students to earn the required credits for graduation and achieve college and career readiness.
Another program is the high school’s JAG (Jobs for Arkansas Graduates) program. JAG provides work-based learning experiences and academic/career coaching for at-risk students. The program includes a certified JAG specialist who provides coaching to students pursuing post-secondary education and/or seeking quality entry-level jobs following graduation.
GIFTED & TALENTED
The Gifted and Talented Program in the Marion School District has won statewide praise for its innovation, equity, and overall excellence. Like all GT programs across Arkansas, the Marion GT program is designed to provide a differentiated educational experience for students whose educational needs extend beyond what is provided in the regular instructional program.
What makes Marion unique is the in-depth identification process and extensive programming options provided throughout grades K-12. Marion takes a comprehensive approach for identification by utilizing whole group enrichment classes from kindergarten through sixth grade to continually give students opportunities to build and demonstrate creative and critical thinking skills.
Marion is one of the only districts in the state that extends whole group enrichment all the way up through sixth grade. This helps the district identify students who may not have been referred for services when they were younger.
MARION PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Marion Performing Arts Center is a 922-seat facility located on the campus of Marion High School. The MPAC is primarily used for the Marion School District performances, but also provides quality entertainment for the Mid-South. Performances have included Barrett Baber from "The Voice," John Anderson, the nationally known acapella group "VOCTAVE," nationally known conductor/composer Greg Gilpin, and more.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
For new students who do not live in the Marion School District (School Choice):
- Fill out School Choice paperwork available on the district’s website and return it to the Central Office, where it will be time-stamped. This is due by May 1, 2023.
- Once the School Choice form has been turned in, families can register students at www.msd3.org/page/registration under “2023-2024 kindergarten and K-12 registration.”
- If the student is in grades K-6, families can also fill out the 2022-2023 magnet selection form, available on the website.
- Approval of School Choice will be made by the superintendent, and parents will be notified in late May-Early June.