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About Our School

  • Garner Magnet High School (GMHS) is a comprehensive public high school in Garner, North Carolina, United States, southeast of Raleigh. The school was founded as Garner Senior High School (GSHS) and graduated its first class in 1969. Garner Magnet is one of five Wake County Public School System high schools offering the International Baccalaureate Programme of Study. Over 120 teaching faculty members are complemented by various administrative, guidance, and support staff. GMHS prides itself on a skilled and accredited faculty. Among them, 24 members are nationally certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and over half possess an advanced degree, including Masters, Ed.D, and Ph.D. in their respective fields.

    History

    The school opened in the fall of 1968 when Garner desegregated its schools. Prior to desegregation, Garner Consolidated School served African-American students. In contrast, Garner High School served white students, along with a limited number of African-American students who opted to attend under a "choice" plan that was in place before desegregation. Garner resident Tim Stevens, a retired journalist, in March 2018 premiered a theatrical production, "68," telling the story of the school's September 2 opening that year. Stevens credits the community and principal Wayne Bare for peacefully managing integration and overcoming many construction delays. In a 2008 book on the implementation of the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, editors Daugherity and Bolton attribute Garner's successful desegregation to Bare's effort to create a shared culture and avoid a power imbalance.

    Programming

    As of 2022, Garner offers its nearly 1,800 students 34 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme courses, 9 Advanced Placement courses, 48 Career and Technical Education courses, four world languages, a Public Safety Career Academy, an Army JROTC program, courses in Music, Dance, Theatre and Visual Arts, 19 varsity sports, and 50 student clubs.

    International Baccalaureate curriculum

    GMHS offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years, Career-related, and Diploma Programmes. The MYP, for ninth and tenth-grade students, provides a framework of learning that encourages students to become creative, critical, and reflective thinkers. The Career-related programme offers juniors and seniors interested in pursuing a career-related education an excellent foundation to support their further studies and ensure their preparedness for success in the workforce. The Diploma Programme involves a rigorous and balanced two-year program of advanced college-prep coursework culminating in IB examinations. DP students also write a 4,000-word extended essay, complete a course in the theory of knowledge and complete an individual program of creativity, activity, and service. Students who qualify via IB examinations receive college credit and can earn the IB Diploma recognized by universities worldwide.

    Achievements

    • Baseball, 1978 NCHSSA 4A champions, 23 Conference titles 
    • Men's Basketball, 2015 NCHSAA State 4A champions
    • Women's Basketball, 1978 NCHSSA 4A champions, 1979 NCHSSA 4A Runner Up, 2006 Eastern Regional semi-finalist, 2021 East Region Champions, 2021 NCHSAA 4A Runner Up
    • Cheerleading, 2003 and 2008 NC State Champions
    • Football, 1976 AAAA runner up, 1987 4AA North Carolina Football State Champions, 1998 4AA Championship Runner-Up, 2006 4AA East Region Runner-Up, 2011 East Region Champions
    • Men's Soccer, Conference champions 2012, 2013
    • Men's Tennis, 2006 conference champions
    • Softball, 17 Conference Titles
    • US News and World Report Bronze Medal Winner, 2012, 2013, 2014
    • 2014 NASSP/Metlife Foundation Breakthrough School Award
    • Magnet Schools of America School of Distinction, 2012, 2013, 2014

    Notable Alumni

    • Brandon Banks (2006) Former professional football player for the Washington Redskins
    • Anthony Blaylock (1983) former NFL defensive back for the Cleveland Browns
    • Chris Culliver (2007) University of South Carolina football alumni. former professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers
    • Tucker Dupree (2006) American swimmer, winner of 3 medals at the 2012 Paralympic Games, holder of multiple world and American records in swimming
    • Nyheim Hines (2015) NFL player for the Indianapolis Colts who was a two sport athlete in football/track at NC State
    • James Mays (2004) basketball player, Clemson University 100 greatest players, professional player 3-time All-Star, China National Basketball League
    • Scotty McCreery (2012) Winner of the tenth season of American Idol, country music singer
    • Richard Medlin (2007) Fayetteville State University football alumni. Professional football player for the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and currently with the Atlanta Falcons
    • King Mez (Morris W. Ricks II 2009), Musician, Grammy nominated song writer
    • Wilmont Perry, Former NFL player for the New Orleans Saints and Arena League football player
    • Randolph Ross, (2019) track athlete, 2020 Olympic gold medalist in the 4x400m relay
    • John Wall, Professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards 
    • Pat Watkins (1990) Professional baseball player for Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies; East Carolina University Athletics Hall of Fame inductee
    • David West (1998) Professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers 
    • Donald Williams (1991) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 1993 NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player 
    • Eric Williams (1978) North Carolina State University football alumni. Professional football player for the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers 

Mission & Vision

District Mission

Wake County Public School System will provide a relevant and engaging education and will graduate students who are collaborative, creative, effective communicators and critical thinkers.

Motto

Respect self, Respect others, Respect tradition! WE ARE TROJANS!

Vision Statement

Garner Magnet High School is an internationally-minded environment where school and community stakeholders strive to inspire and engage all to become productive, reflective, respectful citizens who develop compassion and understand that other perspectives should be considered and can also be right.

Value Statements

  1. We establish structure, develop self-discipline, and maintain high expectations for ourselves and others.
  2.  We communicate with respect, dignity, compassion, and honesty.
  3. We make reasoned, ethical decisions, promote digital integrity, and encourage social responsibility.
  4. We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action when responding to local and global problems/issues.
  5. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences and recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
  6. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.
  7. We create collaborative learning environments to work together effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
  8. We develop skills for cross-curricular inquiry and research, both independently and with others.
  9. We reflect on our strengths and weaknesses in order to support and continue our learning.
  10. We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to develop resilience in the face of challenges and change.