In a first for the Richfield Public Schools, a new science-centric magnet school will open this fall.
The program will serve students in grades K-5 and will focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) instruction.
District leaders are adding the STEM magnet program to their menu of school choices in an effort to keep more students in the district and to prepare them for science and engineering careers.
A new national emphasis on promoting education in the STEM fields has motivated many school districts such as Richfield to create new programs that focus on the hard sciences.
The decision to create a STEM magnet school was made in January by the Richfield school board, acting on a recommendation from the superintendent, Robert Slotterback.
"We're trying to bring kids back into the public school system," said Michael Schwartz, business manager for Richfield Public Schools. The theory is that if the district "gave the community options that they would come back to the school district."
About 700 students have signed up for the new STEM school, but the building can accommodate at least 1,200.
Next Tuesday, the district will host an open house at the school site and is inviting the public to come learn more about the STEM program.