The high-level of interest surrounding the Butler County Magnet School in Georgiana resulted in 320 students submitting applications for acceptance into the new $14.5 million facility, said Superintendent Mike Looney.

“Aside from being surprised by sheer number of applications, I have been impressed with the quality of the applicants,“ Looney said. “We are in the processes of scoring the student essay portion of the application some of which are worthy of publication as literary works of art. This surely is symbolic of what the future holds for BCMS. My experience make be believe that the number of applications will grow in each succeeding year.”

The school, consolidating Robert L. Austin Elementary and Georgiana High School, is scheduled to open for enrollment in the fall. The magnet school and its curriculum will operate independently from the traditional K-12 instruction.

Looney said applications have come from all county schools, as well as private and home schools and schools from neighboring counties.

Applicants will be notified of acceptance by April 30.

The school district is also recruiting a variety of teachers for the new school. The Butler County Schools’ website states the district is accepting applications from teachers of all disciplines, who must fill out a magnet school application and be observed conducting a lesson, either live or through videotape.

“We continue to receive inquiries about teaching jobs at BCMS,” said Looney. “These applications also represent a diverse population of people to include traditional gifted, and non-traditional applicants from the private sector. We have even received interest from attorney who might make a great civics or government teacher. I am very well pleased with our progress on recruiting perspective teachers and students for the school of the tomorrow…today.”

Contractors have said the school should be completed by June.