The Wake County Public School System will hold its Magnet Schools Fair from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Southeast Raleigh High School. Families can use the fair to explore the programs offered through the school system's network of magnet programs.

The magnet fair creates a venue for parents and students to visit interactive booths and inquire about such magnet programs as gifted and talented, International Baccalaureate, museums, university connections, leadership and technology. Also on display will be the county's newest magnet schools, Smith Elementary, with the International Baccalaureate program; Brentwood Elementary, with engineering; and Millbrook High, with International Baccalaureate middle years and diploma programs.

The magnet fair comes at a time of uncertainty for Wake County's magnet schools. For nearly 30 years, they have been part of an effort to diversify the student makeup at schools by encouraging first, white, then high income, students to attend schools in traditionally black, or low-income areas.

That practice could end when the new school board is seated next month. They have vowed to return to a neighborhood school model.

To learn more about magnet schools, visit www.wcpss.net/magnet, stop by the Magnet Resource Center located on the campus of Millbrook Elementary or call 501-7900.