MSA District of the Year

ROUND 1 MATCHUPS

• Match 1: New London Public Schools vs. Norwalk Public Schools

• Match 2: Clark County School District vs. Huntsville City Schools

• Match 3: Hillsborough County Public Schools vs. Orange County Public Schools

• Match 4: School District of Palm Beach County vs. Seminole County Public Schools

• Match 5: East Baton Rouge Parish School System vs. Tangipahoa Parish School System

• Match 6: Wake County Public School System vs. Wichita Public Schools

BYE: Clayton County Public Schools

Check out the description of each district’s diversity initiatives in the match-ups below:

New London Public Schools has built a nationally recognized magnet system that intentionally advances diversity, equity, and inclusion across PK–12 through theme-based, regionally accessible programming. Our STEM, Visual & Performing Arts, and International Education magnet pathways attract students from more than a dozen Connecticut communities, reducing racial, socioeconomic, and linguistic isolation while expanding access to high-quality educational opportunities. Through targeted outreach, regional school choice fairs, multilingual marketing, and transportation support, NLPS ensures that families from all backgrounds can participate in our magnet options. Within schools, culturally sustaining curriculum, world language immersion, and globally focused project-based learning create environments where students’ identities, cultures, and perspectives are valued and reflected in instruction. Our magnet programs are designed not only to enroll diverse students, but to cultivate inclusive learning communities where difference is celebrated as a strength and students are prepared to thrive in a multicultural world.

Norwalk Public Schools advances diversity by intentionally creating learning environments where students from varied racial, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds learn with and from one another. Across Accelerate Excellence magnet schools serving students kindergarten through grade twelve, inclusive outreach and enrollment practices broaden participation in specialized pathways reflecting community demographics. Curriculum elevates multiple perspectives through interdisciplinary units exploring identity, global citizenship, immigration, and historically underrepresented voices. The Portrait of a Graduate, co developed with more than 4,700 students, families, educators, and community members, strengthens belonging by centering diverse voices in defining success. Multilingual communication, culturally responsive instruction, and inclusive student supports ensure diversity is meaningfully experienced rather than symbolically acknowledged. Students collaborate across differences, build empathy, and develop shared purpose through rigorous academic experiences. These accomplishments foster welcoming learning communities where every student feels seen, valued, and respected, preparing graduates to thrive as compassionate, informed participants in a diverse society.

The Clark County School District (CCSD) is committed to ensuring that every student in Clark County, Nevada, has the opportunity to thrive in inclusive and innovative magnet programs. To remove barriers and expand access to magnet schools, CCSD implements the following strategies:
-Host two annual district-wide school choice fairs to connect families with magnet schools.
-Disseminate magnet school information across Clark County to ensure broad awareness.
-Provide application materials in more than 100 languages to reduce language barriers.
-Offer family information sessions in English and Spanish, both in person and virtually.
-Assign a dedicated magnet recruiter at each school site to support families through the application and lottery process.
-Ensure access to district transportation and at least one school per magnet theme area.
-Conduct outreach presentations for elementary and middle school students to promote programs aligned with student interests and future goals.

Huntsville City Schools has taken meaningful steps to support diversity and inclusion in its district. One notable initiative is the proposal to offer the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy, which would formally recognize students who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one additional language—celebrating multilingual achievement and the cultural assets students bring to the community.

Beyond academics, HCS operates under a longstanding federal desegregation consent order aimed at ensuring equitable access to education and opportunities for all students.

While state guidance influences how diversity programming can be implemented in Alabama schools, Huntsville City Schools continues to recognize and build on the strengths of its diverse student body and strives to create inclusive educational experiences.

Hillsborough County Public Schools, serving 216,378 students, demonstrates a strong, measurable commitment to diversity through equitable access and inclusive practices. Each year, our magnet lottery system processes over 23,000 applications and ensures fair enrollment that produces school demographics that closely reflect districtwide racial and socioeconomic patterns. Through countywide recruitment, every student receives information about magnet options, resulting in increased participation from historically underrepresented groups. Hispanic and Black students make up 60% of magnet school enrollment, and about 60% of magnet students qualify for free or reduced lunch, both mirroring overall district demographics. School and district leaders use data driven strategies focused on student learning to position our magnet programs to be models for access, inclusion, and high-quality school choice for all families.

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) has built a strong record of advancing diversity through intentional programs, inclusive policies, and measurable academic progress. Their efforts reflect a long term commitment to ensuring every student—regardless of background—has access to high quality learning opportunities.
Orange County Public Schools serves a richly diverse student population, with significant representation across racial and cultural groups. This diversity is supported by initiatives such as expanding access to Advanced Placement courses, where OCPS implemented the SpringBoard program specifically to increase participation among underrepresented students. The district reports that this effort led to greater gains in reading and math achievement and improved student engagement.
OCPS also emphasizes equity driven learning environments, promoting culturally diverse classrooms and supporting policies that affirm the value of representation in teaching staff. These initiatives help foster inclusive school climates where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

The School District of Palm Beach County champions diversity as a foundational strength, utilizing Choice and Career programs to reduce minority group isolation and foster socioeconomic integration across 330+ programs. By strategically placing high-interest themes, such as STEM, International Baccalaureate (IB), and the Arts, in varied geographic locations, the District attracts students from different backgrounds to learn together. This commitment is evident in schools such as Suncoast High and Morikami Park Elementary, where students from diverse zip codes unite under a shared passion for rigorous academics. The District’s controlled open enrollment and lottery system ensures equitable access, removing barriers for underrepresented populations. Furthermore, the “Grow Your Own” teacher initiatives and cultural competency training for staff ensure that the educators reflect the rich tapestry of the student body. In SDPBC focuses on an inclusive learning environment where every student thrives.

Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) is committed to fostering a diverse and equitable environment for all students. SCPS promotes diversity through magnet programs that bring together students from various backgrounds and create pathways for success. Our recruitment strategies are intentional, ensuring that students of all backgrounds have access to high-quality educational experiences. SCPS is committed to removing barriers to access, and provides transportation for students who live more than two miles from their magnet school.
In addition to magnet programs, a broad range of school choice options (from career and technical education to advanced placement and virtual learning), SCPS is making an intentional effort to ensure every student has the resources and opportunities for success.

East Baton Rouge Parish Schools has a proven record of advancing diversity through a strategically designed magnet system. Awarded the 2017 Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) Grant, the district successfully launched and sustained high-quality magnet programs that intentionally increase racial, socioeconomic, and geographic diversity while delivering rigorous, theme-based instruction. This success led to the award of a second MSAP Grant in 2024, affirming the district’s impact and capacity for growth. EBR has also been recognized through the Fostering Diverse Schools Grant and participation in a multi-district consortium with Tangipahoa and Rapides Parishes, expanding regional collaboration around equitable access and desegregation strategies. Across visual and performing arts, STEM, engineering, Montessori, medical, world languages, museum, and governmental affairs themes, EBR magnet programs attract students from across the parish and remain highly sought after by families. These sustained efforts create inclusive learning environments where diversity is embedded in program design, student experiences, and measurable district outcomes.

Tangipahoa Parish School System is committed to fostering a strong sense of belonging and expanding opportunities for students through its magnet schools and districtwide initiatives. Our magnet programs bring together students from a wide-range of backgrounds, creating learning environments that reflect the communities we serve. A key example is the Advanced College and Career Magnet Center, centrally located to provide all eligible 11th and 12th-grade students who are on track for graduation with access to dual enrollment coursework and advanced credentialing opportunities. By offering transportation to and from students’ home-based schools, the district removes barriers and expands participation. Through innovative, theme-based learning, students collaborate, think critically, and gain appreciation for varied perspectives. The district prioritizes family engagement, community partnerships, and professional learning to support these instructional practices. By emphasizing access, representation, and student voice, Tangipahoa Parish magnet schools promote unity and prepare students for success in a dynamic, interconnected world.

At Wake County Public School System, student assignment, school design, and multiple program options (magnets, early colleges, year-round schools, CTE academies) are leveraged to reduce high concentrations of poverty, promote integration, and expand access to rigorous learning opportunities across all of Wake County. WCPSS Strategic Plan commits to eliminating disparities in graduation, proficiency, growth, attendance, and social-emotional outcomes by race, ethnicity, gender and SES, with progress already evident in subgroup graduation gains and record-high completion rates. District culture work and recruitment emphasize high-quality, diverse staff, along with inclusive school climates where all students feel safe, welcomed, and represented in curriculum and activities.

Unlike many districts, Wichita Public Schools (WPS) provides bussing for all magnet students who live >2 miles from the school. Additionally, the magnet lottery is truly blind; of our 23 magnet schools, not even one has any sort of academic or behavior metric involved in the process.

All 45,000 students from the district are eligible to apply to any magnet school; distance from program does not factor into selection which allows students from our historically redlined, heavily African American and Hispanic neighborhoods to help diversify schools outside of their neighborhood, and vice versa.

In a district where only 26% of the population is white, this effort for voluntary integration has allowed teachers at our magnet schools to truly leverage their available diversity and has resulted in very few of our schools experiencing Minority Group Isolation.