Welcome to LEAD Academy!

The Leadership Entrepreneurship Action & Design (LEAD) Academy at Streamwood High School (a Magnet Schools of America Nationally Certified Program (2022), offers an innovative program where students learn to be problem solvers and innovators in a collaborative environment. In response to the needs of domestic and global economies, students will learn how to incorporate innovation, design thinking, and lean startup practices into their skills portfolio to launch them into success as they complete the program in preparation for individualized post-secondary plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are these academies now called Magnet Academies?
A: While the academy concept is not new to U-46, it was not until 2017 that U-46 adopted the Magnet Schools of America (MSA) framework for consistency in rigor and standards across all five academies.

Q: How are the Magnet Academies different from Educational Pathways?
A: The U-46 Magnet Academies are theme-based schools within a school. Students attend the high school that hosts the academy of their choice for their entire high school career and take a carefully selected series of unique courses. Educational Pathways are clusters of strategically planned sequences of career-oriented courses paired with required general education courses that lead directly to a post-secondary plan. Students attend their home high school and have more flexibility in choosing courses.

Q: Who can apply to the academies?
A: Eighth graders who reside in U-46 may apply during the fall semester for placement in their freshman year of high school (ninth grade). 
Note: Should an academy not reach capacity through the standard application process, an opportunity for students already attending that high school to apply to the academy may be offered.

Q: When are applications accepted?
A: Current U-46 students in the eighth grade may apply during the application window in the early fall. New residents to the district and private school or home-schooled students who have transferred to the district will be permitted to complete the application. They will be added to the waitlist should there be
one.

Q: How do students apply?
A: The application is an online process that can be found at https://www.u-46.org/magnetacademies. Students complete the application, make academy selections, and upload the materials and requested references. Students can apply to up to five academies. However, we recommend applying only to academies that the student is interested in attending.

Q: Are there any prerequisites?
A: Any student may apply. The criteria for all the academies are a 2.5 GPA and two letters of recommendation.

Q: How should I decide which academy is best for me?
A: High interest and post-high school plans should play the biggest part in this decision. Students should consult their parents, teachers, and other trusted mentors to make their decision.

Q: Can I apply to more than one academy?
A: While most students only apply to one or two academies, all students have the option to apply to up to five academies in their application. However, students will be considered for their second choice only if they are not accepted into their first choice.

Q: The academy that I want to attend is not my home high school. How will I get there?
A: If accepted, the academy school becomes the student’s regular attendance school. Busing is provided for those students who are attending an academy that is not at their home high school. Note: At this time activity busing is not offered to academy students who reside outside the high school’s enrollment area.

Q: Do students have the opportunity to take classes outside of their Magnet Academy?
A: Students take academy classes alongside their other high school courses to meet high school
graduation requirements. In most cases, classes not related to the academy concentration are integrated with the rest of the high school. Academy students can take electives, honors, and AP classes outside their area of concentration in the academy. Students may also participate in extracurricular activities offered at each high school. The availability of electives outside the Academy program varies by Academy and students should consult with a counselor to fully understand their course options.

Q: May students be removed from a Magnet Academy Program?
A: Yes. Although it is rare, it is sometimes necessary for a student to be reassigned to a different academic placement. 

Q: How is Academy student behavior governed?
A: All Academy students are expected to follow the U-46 Code of Conduct and are subject to the provisions within.