Magnet Schools of America Celebrates National Award Winners During Teacher Appreciation Week

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC (May 5, 2026) — In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week and National Teacher Day, Magnet Schools of America (MSA) is proud to celebrate its 2025-2026 national award recipients, honoring the educators, school leaders, and districts who are advancing excellence in magnet education. Announced during MSA 2026, held April 14-17 in San Diego, CA, the awards recognize outstanding achievement in innovation, diversity, and student success. More than 1,300 magnet educators and leaders convened at the national conference to share best practices and highlight the critical role teachers and school communities play in delivering high-quality, theme-based public education. 

“We are proud to recognize this year’s award winners, whose work brings the promise of magnet education to life,” said Ramin Taheri, CEO of Magnet Schools of America. “Their leadership demonstrates what’s possible when we bring together choice, innovation, and academic excellence in a way that expands opportunity for all students.”

All national award recipients were formally recognized at the National Merit Award Celebration on April 17, 2026. MSA’s Merit Awards of Excellence and Distinction honor member magnet schools that demonstrate a strong, sustained commitment to the Five Pillars of magnet education. While all designated schools are celebrated at the annual conference, the top five Magnet Schools of Excellence are highlighted below, along with recipients of the New and Emerging Magnet School Award, District of the Year, and National Principal and Teacher of the Year honorees. 

Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Merit Award – Magnet School of Excellence
Washington Irving STEAM Magnet School, Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles, CA)
Washington Irving STEAM, a California Distinguished School, uses project-based STEAM learning, extensive arts and STEM electives, robotics excellence, and a dual language program to develop creative, resilient, and globally competent students.

Donald Waldrip Merit Award – Magnet School of Excellence
Hollywood High School New Media Academy Magnet, Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles, CA)
Hollywood High School New Media Academy is a Linked Learning Gold Certified Program that integrates core academics with video production and animation through project-based learning and industry partnerships, preparing students with 21st-century media skills for college and careers.

President’s Merit Award – Magnet School of Excellence
L.W. Conder Arts Integrated Magnet Elementary School, Richland School District Two (Columbia, SC)
L.W. Conder Arts Elementary embeds arts across the curriculum through daily instruction, artist partnerships, and performances, creating engaging, interdisciplinary learning experiences that deepen academic understanding and real-world connections.

Secondary Merit Award – Magnet School of Excellence
City of Medicine Academy, Durham Public Schools (Durham, NC)
City of Medicine Academy is a health sciences magnet high school that combines rigorous academics, clinical experiences, and dual enrollment to prepare students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree en route to healthcare careers.

Elementary Merit Award – Magnet School of Excellence
Forest Lake Elementary NASA Explorer School & Elementary Learning Collaborative, Richland School District Two (Columbia, SC)
Forest Lake Elementary combines STEM-rich, inquiry-based learning with advanced interdisciplinary instruction to foster academic excellence, critical thinking, and 21st-century skills for a diverse range of learners.

New & Emerging Merit Award – Magnet School of Excellence
Bowman Ashe Doolin K-8 Academy, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (Miami, FL)
Bowman Ashe Doolin is a whole-school STArts2 magnet where students engage in cross-curricular, problem-based learning and real-world partnerships to build creativity, critical thinking, and strong academic outcomes across diverse student populations.

Magnet Mania Award – District of the Year
East Baton Rouge Parish School System (Baton Rouge, LA)
East Baton Rouge leverages strong community and industry partnerships to expand real-world learning, support magnet program growth, and deepen family engagement, advancing student achievement and educational opportunity.

National Principal of the Year
Dr. Frank LaBanca, ACES Chase Academy, Area Cooperative Educational Services (Waterbury, CT)
Under Dr. LaBanca’s leadership, ACES Chase Academy has become a model interdistrict STEAM magnet school where rigorous academics, authentic project-based learning, and a strong sense of belonging define the student experience.

National Teacher of the Year
Marsha Perry, ACES Chase Academy, Area Cooperative Educational Services (Waterbury, CT)
With more than 18 years of teaching experience across ACES magnet schools, Ms. Perry exemplifies the power of literacy, equity, and student voice in advancing the magnet mission.

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Founded in 1986, Magnet Schools of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education association representing and serving the nation’s thousands of magnet and theme-based schools.

Media Contact:

Jenna Roberson
Director of External Affairs
Magnet Schools of America
jenna.roberson@magnet.edu

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