Jefferson County Schools announced a significant expansion of educational opportunities for all JEFCOED students. Through a phased three-year rollout starting in the 2027-2028 school year, the district will launch several new magnet schools designed to provide specialized, high-quality learning environments.
“This is about better serving our students and our families. Alabama is currently a school-choice state, and through these efforts, we are letting our families know that public education is the premier choice,” says Dr. Walter Gonsoulin, Superintendent of Jefferson County Schools. All students currently zoned to attend the designated magnet sites will be able to participate in the new programs if they choose. Additionally, students from across the county will be eligible to submit applications to join the specialized programs. Magnet School
Irondale Community School, Irondale Middle School, and Shades Valley High School will be open to students on the eastern side of the county. Brighton School, Minor Middle School, and Minor High School will serve students on the western side of the county. These schools will be STEAM magnet sites. Pleasant Grove Elementary is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP). It will serve elementary school students across the entire county.
A STEAM magnet is a specialized public school that integrates the five areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics into every subject. STEAM schools use project-based learning to help children think creatively, collaborate with peers, and solve real problems. Students who choose STEAM come away with future-proof career readiness.
As a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), Pleasant Grove Elementary is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. This process will provide an elementary option for students to start an IB journey as early as kindergarten and an optional pathway that would connect to our highly successful IB middle and high school programs.
“These schools will be wonderful additions to our selection of educational opportunities that also include the UAB-JEFCOED Teacher Academy, Signature Academies, the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School, and many more,” says Gonsoulin. “They will be high-quality, challenging, and high-profile programs. Our hope is to give students more opportunities now, so that they can achieve more in the future.”
The federal court granted Jefferson County Schools approval to proceed with the magnet school programs on July 24. In doing so, the Judge ordered that, while the district remains under the court’s supervision, the schools housing these magnet programs will remain under the direction, control, and ownership of the Jefferson County Board of Education. Consequently, Irondale schools will continue to operate as part of the Jefferson County School System for the foreseeable future.
“This initiative is about providing choice to all students. This order allows us to build successful magnet programs at these schools and ensure academic continuity for our students,” says Gonsoulin. “We have been developing this plan for several years, and I appreciate the court’s support in allowing us to move forward.”
