Magnet schools were created in the early 1970s with the intention of promoting school integration and improving the quality of the education system.

They differ from charter schools in that they have the same accountability measures and standards as traditional public schools. They are also administered by the school district.

Magnet schools are free to attend and accessible to all students. These schools attract students from diverse backgrounds and often enroll a higher proportion of low-income students.

A 2016 study by the University of North Carolina's Charlotte’s Urban Institute found there were 4,340 magnet schools in the United States at that time.

There are two magnet programs in Lexington County School District Two and 16 magnet programs available for students in the Lexington-Richland Five School District.

These schools include: Busbee Creative Arts Academy, Saluda River Academy for the Arts, Dutch Fork Elementary School Academy of Environmental Sciences,  Harbison West Elementary School Gifted and Talent Development Magnet, Escolares Academy at Harbison West Elementary School, H. E. Corley Elementary School Montessori Magnet and Leadership Magnet, Leaphart Elementary School STEAM Magnet, Nursery Road Elementary School Arts Magnet, Seven Oaks Elementary School Global Magnet , Irmo Middle International Academic Magnet and I AM Escolares Magnet Program, Dutch Fork High School STEM Magnet Program, Irmo High School International School for the Arts, International Baccalaureate Diploma and Career-related Programmes,  This Is Escolares Academic Magnet Program at Irmo High School and Spring Hill High School Career Pathways Magnet.

Magnet schools focus on specialized curricula.  You may hear of a student attending a STEM magnet school or a performing arts magnet school, as examples. There are also magnet schools that either take an immersion or non-immersion approach to world languages. 

Some magnet schools incorporate Montessori programs, which are based on the philosophy that children learn best within an environment that supports their physical, cognitive, emotional and social development.

These schools are supported at the federal, state and local levels. They are primarily funded with local dollars and the federal government awards grants through the Magnet Schools Assistance Program.

A 1996 study by the University of Wisconsin found that magnet schools helped students achieve faster academic progress in most subjects, except for math, at the high school level.

According to World Magnet Schools, many magnet schools report graduation rates of 90% or higher, with at least 72% of students enrolling in post-secondary education. A 2011 study found that magnet students are less likely to be absent or skip classes and are more likely to engage in the classroom.

Magnet schools offer another education option with the intention of helping students build on their strengths and prepare for their future careers.