Match 1: Orange County Public Schools vs. Seminole Public Schools
Match 2: Clark County School District vs. Wake County Public School System
Match 3: Norwalk Public Schools vs. Wichita Public Schools
Match 4: New London Public Schools vs. Huntsville City Schools
Match 5: School District of Palm Beach County vs. Hillsborough County Public Schools
Match 6: Tangipahoa Parish School System vs. Clayton County Public Schools
BYE: East Baton Rouge Parish School System
Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) has earned recognition for its commitment to innovative curriculum design and robust professional development, creating learning environments that elevate both teaching and student achievement. The district’s curriculum leadership, supported by initiatives such as the Developing Teacher Leaders program, empowers educators to adopt research-based instructional practices and drive innovation in their classrooms. OCPS also integrates cutting-edge instructional frameworks and digital tools, ensuring curriculum alignment with state standards while promoting creativity, critical thinking, and real-world application.
Professional development is a cornerstone of OCPS’s success. Through coordinated systems of learning, including leadership development, instructional coaching, and differentiated training for areas such as literacy and multilingual education, the district strengthens teacher expertise and instructional quality. These efforts cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, equipping educators with the skills needed to implement innovative curriculum strategies that enhance student engagement and academic growth.
Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) has made significant strides in developing and implementing innovative curriculum and professional development programs, particularly within its magnet schools. These schools offer specialized programs that encourage critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving. SCPS has incorporated advanced technology, hands-on learning experiences, and project-based approaches to ensure students are well-prepared for future success. A key accomplishment is the integration of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum into magnet schools, fostering an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Additionally, SCPS prioritizes professional development for educators, offering ongoing training in the latest instructional strategies, technology tools, and differentiated learning techniques. This empowers teachers to deliver dynamic lessons tailored to diverse student needs and ensures high academic standards across magnet programs. By continuously adapting to educational trends and prioritizing growth, SCPS magnet schools provide an exceptional learning environment that nurtures student success and innovation.
The Clark County School District (CCSD) delivers innovative, theme-based instruction that prepares students for success in higher education and their future careers. Through rigorous standards, real-world learning opportunities, and professional development, CCSD ensures students and educators thrive in engaging and relevant educational environments. These efforts include:
Beyond magnets, Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) offers early colleges, career academies, CTE pathways, advanced coursework, leadership academies, and enhancement programs that provide innovative, real-world learning for students districtwide. The Strategic Plan embeds rigorous, standards-aligned instruction and multiple pathways to graduation, supported by district curriculum frameworks and theme-aligned enhancements in arts, STEM, world languages, and global learning. Systemwide professional learning focuses on high-quality instruction, inclusive practices, and data use, with PLCs and coaching structures that help teachers refine practice and support diverse learners in every school.
Norwalk Public Schools demonstrates innovation through curriculum and professional learning that intentionally connect academic standards to real world application. Across our magnet schools, Kendall College and Career STEAM Academy, Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy, and P TECH Norwalk, educators implement interdisciplinary, project based learning integrating technology, STEAM, and workforce development from elementary through high school. Students engage in robotics, computer science, immersive media, early college coursework, and authentic problem solving experiences. This work is supported by sustained professional development including instructional coaching, PLCs, PBLWorks training, eMINTS strategies, and teacher led turnkey learning that builds internal capacity. Cross school collaboration strengthens coherence, instructional quality, and shared expectations across the K through 12 continuum. Guided by the Portrait of a Graduate, curriculum design and professional learning remain purposeful, inclusive, and forward looking, ensuring innovation is rigorous, relevant, and responsive for all learners, together across Norwalk.
Wichita Public Schools (WPS) is committed to allocating the funding necessary to support magnet schools with ancillary curriculum and theme-related professional development.
Magnet-themed curriculum purchases for individual programs include but are not limited to, Core Knowledge, CLS STEM Lab, Leader in Me, We Build it Better, and Earth Partnerships for Schools. These varying curricula allow our magnet schools to truly stand out and provide tangible alternatives to a traditional school.
WPS employs two full-time magnet instructional teachers who work with our 23 different programs and facilitate professional development. These two positions also oversee the work of the Site Magnet Coordinators, which are paid magnet-dedicated positions in every building to ensure adherence to the five pillars.
New London Public Schools has developed an integrated, innovative magnet curriculum that aligns rigorous academics with real-world, theme-based learning across STEM, Visual & Performing Arts, and International Education pathways. Students engage in project-based, inquiry-driven experiences connected to global issues, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and interdisciplinary applications of science, technology, the arts, and world languages. This curriculum is supported by a robust professional learning system that builds educator capacity to deliver high-quality magnet instruction. Teachers participate in ongoing training in Building Thinking Classrooms, Illustrative Mathematics, arts integration, multilingual learner strategies, and culturally responsive pedagogy. District-wide professional learning communities use data, student work, and formative assessments to continuously refine instruction and ensure equity of access to advanced magnet coursework. Together, innovative curriculum design and targeted professional development create engaging, future-focused learning environments that prepare students for college, careers, and global citizenship.
Huntsville City Schools has made significant strides in innovative curriculum design and professional development to prepare students for the future and support teacher excellence. The district became the largest in Alabama to earn STEM District Certification from Cognia, highlighting a fully aligned, evidence-based curriculum infused with STEM, project-based learning, and technology integration across all grade levels. This recognition also cited HCS’s learner-centered professional development system, tailored to educator needs through data and performance feedback.
Educators engage in robust training year-round, from summer workshops on research-based math strategies and STEAM labs to professional development in computer science and innovative instructional practices. Partnerships enhance classroom relevance, such as the LIGHT Program with Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, which embeds industry expertise directly into instruction.
District investments also support broad professional growth initiatives aimed at elevating teacher leadership and instructional quality aligned with strategic goals like Achieve 2029.
School District of Palm Beach County (SDPBC), a recipient of MSA’s district award for magnet sustainability, stays ahead of the curve by delivering cutting-edge career pathways alongside Dual Language programs in Spanish and Haitian Creole. From the Artificial Intelligence Academy to Biomedical Sciences with the FAU College of Medicine, the District offers industry-aligned curricula that exceed standard instruction. Innovation is fueled by continuous professional development; teachers receive specialized training in project-based learning, IB methodologies, and arts integration. The District’s “ExEQ” program with Florida Atlantic University exemplifies this, enabling educators to earn master’s degrees in equity-centered leadership. Furthermore, middle school STEAM initiatives transform classrooms into “maker” spaces, integrating coding, robotics, and design thinking. By investing in educator expertise and aligning curriculum with industry certifications such as Microsoft and Adobe, SDPBC ensures innovation is the norm. Through this holistic blend of linguistic immersion and technical expertise, SDPBC empowers students to succeed in a diverse, ever-evolving world.
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) places innovative curriculum and professional development at the center of every magnet program. Magnet programs blend the district’s existing focus of Marzano’s New Art and Science of Teaching with professional development that is theme aligned, inquiry driven, rigorous and focuses on real world learning experiences that integrate STEM, arts, leadership, advanced studies, business pathways, and advanced technologies. Districtwide professional development revolves around models of instruction that enhance the learning environment, focus on content alignment and student academic ownership, and demonstrate learning. Magnet Lead Teachers utilize monthly district training to share ideas, network, learn about best practices, and fine-tune thematic implementation at their schools. Schools utilize community, family, and business partnerships to expand access to specialized training and authentic learning experiences. Coordinated structures that are aligned to the district’s strategic plan, build educator capacity, sustain high quality magnet pathways, and ensure that innovation remains a defining feature of our magnet programs.
Tangipahoa Parish School System demonstrates a strong commitment to innovative curriculum and continuous professional growth to support student success. Our magnet schools offer theme-based, interdisciplinary programs that integrate real-world applications, project-based learning, and advanced instructional strategies. Students benefit from enriched opportunities in areas such as STEAM, visual and performing arts, communications, leadership, International Baccalaureate studies, Montessori, and career exploration, encouraging creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. To support instructional excellence, the district provides ongoing, targeted professional development focused on innovative teaching practices, data-informed instruction, and meeting the needs of the community of learners. Educators participate in collaborative learning communities (PLC), coaching, and specialized training aligned to magnet themes and district goals. By investing in both curriculum innovation and educator capacity, Tangipahoa Parish ensures engaging, high-quality learning experiences that prepare students for future academic and career success.
Clayton County Public Schools is dedicated to advancing student achievement through innovative curriculum and professional development opportunities. By incorporating arts integration, STEM, STEAM, Project-Based Learning, Cambridge, and Project Lead the Way programs, our schools offer rigorous and engaging lessons that inspire critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. These initiatives prepare students for success by emphasizing hands-on learning and interdisciplinary approaches.
To support this innovation, educators participate in professional development tailored to these specialized programs. Training sessions are provided during the school day, on staff development days, and after school, ensuring that teachers have the tools and knowledge needed to implement dynamic instructional strategies effectively. Through this commitment to continuous growth, our district fosters an environment where both students and educators thrive, empowering learners to excel academically while cultivating essential skills for the future.
East Baton Rouge Parish School System prioritizes Innovative Curriculum and Professional Development by investing in both people and practices that strengthen instructional quality. Educators regularly attend national conferences such as FETC, ACTE, and MSA NIMSL, gaining access to cutting-edge strategies, emerging technologies, and best practices that are implemented directly in classrooms. To ensure curricular coherence and fidelity, curriculum specialists and coordinators are embedded across programs, providing thematic integration and ongoing, job-embedded coaching. The district conducts regular self-audits of curriculum implementation, using data-driven findings to tailor support in collaboration with district curriculum teams. In partnership with the district Workforce Development Department, magnet programs offer innovative, real-world learning experiences that align curriculum with industry needs and career pathways. Additional collaboration with neighboring parishes creates a shared exchange of professional development and instructional support, promoting innovation, consistency, and continuous improvement across the district.
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