Policy Insider Blog


Congress Takes First Step to Fund Magnet Schools for FY 2018

This week the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved their FY 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill. The legislation passed by a partisan vote (28-22) and includes $96.4 million in funding for the Magnet Schools Assistance Program. This is welcome news as the U.S. Department of Education completes its first five-year grant […]

State of New York to Promote School Diversity in ESSA Plan

With the first of two major deadlines now passed, states have begun the process of finalizing and submitting their Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) implementation plans to the U.S. Department of Education. The plans detail how individual states will address changes made to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act also formerly known as No Child […]

Anne Fennell from Mission Vista High School Named 2017 National Magnet School Teacher of the Year.

Magnet Schools of America (MSA), the national association for magnet and theme-based schools is pleased to announce that Anne Fennell from Vista Unified School District’s Mission Vista High School in Oceanside, California is the 2017 National Magnet School Teacher of the Year. Through a competitive application process, Ms. Fennell was selected from a group of eight Regional Teachers of the Year dispersed across the country.

Thomas Sims from Dickinson Fine Arts Academy Named 2017 National Magnet School Principal of the Year.

Magnet Schools of America (MSA) is pleased to announce that Thomas Sims, Principal of Dickinson Fine Arts Academy in South Bend, Indiana is the 2017 National Magnet School Principal of the Year. Through a competitive application process, Mr. Sims was selected from a group of eight Regional Principals of the Year dispersed across the country.

Magnet Schools of America Announces 2017 National Award

Magnet Schools of America (MSA), announced the recipients of its 2017 national awards in Los Angeles, CA during the 35th National Conference on Magnet Schools (April 27- 29, 2017), hosted by the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Charlotte’s Idlewild Elementary Named Nation’s Top Magnet School for 2017

During Magnet Schools of America's 35th National Conference in Los Angeles, CA Idlewild Elementary School in Charlotte, NC was named the recipient of the Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Distinguished Merit Award for 2017. This award is given annually to the nation’s top magnet
school and commemorates the organization’s founding member Dr. Ronald P. Simpson.

Clark County School District Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky Named Magnet Schools of America Superintendent of the Year

As a result of his leadership at the national, state and local levels in advocating, developing, and supporting magnet schools, Magnet Schools of America (MSA) is pleased to name Pat Skorkowsky from the Clark County School District in Nevada the 2017 Magnet Schools of America Superintendent of the Year. This annual award recognizes the important work of leadership within our school districts to keep magnet schools a priority in the portfolio of school choice options.

Magnet Schools of America hosts 35th National Conference on Magnet Schools in Los Angeles

Magnet Schools of America (MSA) will hold its 35th National Conference on Magnet Schools in Los Angeles, California from April 26-30, 2017 at the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles. It will be hosted by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

Supporting and Celebrating Diversity

Supporting and Celebrating Diversity

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is the second largest school district in the nation. It boasts a diverse student population, a multitude of schools (approximately 900), and reaches beyond the city limits to serve students in 31 smaller, surrounding municipalities. What makes LAUSD even more unique is their focus on racial integration.

Those Who Can, Teach

Those Who Can, Teach

Mr. Matthew Waynee of LAUSD’s LAUSD / USC Media Arts & Engineering Magnet (USC MAE), has an illustrious background. He proves the old idiom, “those who can, do; those who can’t, teach,” false - he does and teaches (well). From his first years post undergrad in TFA teaching at a rural high school in Texas, to his ongoing work in the film industry and his dedication to his current role as a Cinematic Arts teacher at USC MAE, Mr. Waynee’s career is quite a balancing act and his success proves that it’s all worth it.


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