[fwdude]

If my elementary school had burned to the ground, we would have been celebrating for weeks.

This was a magnet school where students were more likely to be emotionally invested in their education. But I know what you mean.

[Myrddin]

My middle son lobbied hard to attend a "magnet school" featuring marine biology with Scripps as the sponsor. To participate, he had to get on a bus at 5:30 AM in Mira Mesa and ride to southeast San Diego. He was dropped back at the bus stop at 5:30 PM. We tolerated that for about 8 months. His academics were slipping. He was getting beat up on the playground. Why? The school was really a minority babysitting service. Two meals, low standards of teaching. The "magnet" element was a cursory 30 minute visit on alternate Thursdays from a Scripps employee. A total sham.

We pulled him out and put him into our local neighborhood school. It took 3 weeks of furious effort to catch up with the class. Having been fired up to work that hard to catch up, he maintained that level of effort. Right up to straight A report cards through the balance of elementary, junior high and high school. He treatment at the "magnet" school had been punishment for being top fly on the manure pile. The only net value of that experience was his acquisition of nearly native ability to speak Spanish.

Back on topic...I don't hold "magnet" schools in very high esteem. I wouldn't be at all surprised if arson was involved.