Welcome... Becoming Good Stewards of the Eveglades
South Plantation's Magnet is the only high school magnet program in the world dedicated to preserving Florida's fragile Everglades. This website was created by web design student Ashlyn Valdes for her senior project to showcase how the high students are working to share their environmental stewardship with the community. They can enroll in Cambridge (AICE) courses earning college credits and an AICE diploma. Need More? Contact [email protected].
Coming Attractions
August 27 Tuesday
SPHS Open House 5-6 pm Student Group Showcase 6-8 pm Classroom Visits
2024-25 Application Information
2024/25 Phase 3 Window is Now Closed As of August 23, 2024, 8pm.
Freshmen Start with Basic Soil End with Small Craft Safety
In Research I, magnet 9th grade students start the year with learning there is more to soil than meets the eye. As they work with the scientists from YEA! (Youth Environmental Alliance), they recognize the importance of all the "decomposers" and participate in soil percolation tests see how the water cycle affects what happens to natural resources and people.
Sloggers Go Deep in the 'Glades
A memorable trip through the years has been the slogging and airboat experience. After learning on location at the Sawgrass Recreation Park, 9th graders learned how "we are all affected because we are all connected," the basic theme of the entire 9-12 magnet program. On the airboat students identified wildlife and tested the water quality. More photos in FIELD TRIPS.
Sophomores Work, Fish, Study Sophomores studied their theme in AICE Environmental Management at Birch State Park. They helped clean out invasive species and focused on how wetlands play a major role in the biodiversity in the ecosystem. But all was not just work. They practiced fishing techniques learned last year in Research 1.
Magnetic Experience: Open House Covers Total School
Each year, potential students and parents attend the "Magnet"ic Experience in January. After a brief program in the Paladin Playhouse, with performances from music and drama students and explanations about the program in general, the visitors will see the many courses, activities and sports available to all Paladins. Culinary and engineering were popular sites. Visitors will see how magnet students protect Florida's resources by working and enjoying the fruits of their labor outdoors in the environment they are helping to save while they can earn Cambridge credits.
National Honor The National Magnet Schools of America named the SPHS program: Magnet School of Excellence2022 Top Award and also won in 2012 and 2013 Magnet School of Distinction (Second Place National Honor) 2024, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2015 2011, 2009, 2008
Magnet Welcomes New Recruits
In early August the new Paladins were welcomed with a day of activities. In the morning all freshmen attended the Student Government Paladin Round Up. Then the magnet environmentalists enjoyed lunch and had an afternoon of activities where they met new teachers and their classmates who lived anywhere in Broward County.
Joining Nola Morgan on stage are teacher Jessica Lyles, Coordinator Matt Zealy, Davie Mayor Judy Paul (former teacher at SPHS) and others.
Congratulations Winner!
At Water Matters Day (TreeTops Park) in March 2024, freshman Nola Morgan won top honors in the only school contest. All the parts of the infographics needed to be original media drawn/written by the student. Jessica Lyles is her teacher in the Introduction to the Everglades Research 1 class. More photos in Clubs.
Students Calculate How Sea Level Rise Impacts Communities
Xavier Cortada with the mural he painted in the Paladin rotunda so all students can see how science and at coincide.
The Cortada Foundation brought its sea level rise initiative to Broward County Schools in February. Xavier Cortada's art initiative shows awareness of how sea level rise impacts South Florida's communities. Paladins researched their home's elevation and drew the number on a sign to be placed in their yard hoping to initiate conversations about the issue with their neighbors. During the day, Cortada painted a mural at South with the school's elevation so all students could see how climate change affects all of them.
Magnet Partnerships Are Available
Donations are used to purchase special materials and supplies for classrooms as well as funding student scholarships. If you, or your company, can provide educational support or internship positions, please contact the magnet coordinator: [email protected]. Sponsorships are available and can be paid online: $500 - Florida Panther; $250 - Rosette Spoonbill; $100 - Apple Snail; and $25-99 - Wildflower. If you wish to help a special class or magnet organization, please note it on the donation. Check out PARTNERS in the navigation buttons.
F.E.R.M. gladly accept donations for South Plantation High's Environmental Science & Everglades Restoration Magnet Program a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For online donations go to the FERM website: https://www.southplantationmagnet.org/