This summer, Magnet Schools of America hosted two symposia that offered opportunities for our members to enjoy all of the above: they took a deep dive into specific issues related to the five pillars of magnet schools, they heard working in a small, interactive setting, and they had a great time laughing and learning together. In this issue of Distinct by Design, we reflect on our Denver symposium, which exemplified the essence of the second of the five pillars of magnet schools— Innovative Curriculum and Professional Development—by focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on K-12 education.

America’s students are more socioeconomically and demographically diverse than ever, and our schools are resegregating at alarming rates. I resolutely believe magnet schools grounded in integration, innovation, and inclusivity promote school integration while fostering diverse student interaction and providing high-quality academic and non-academic impact for ALL students. As MSA President, I will collaborate with colleagues, membership, and partners to honor the mission and vision of MSA and elevate the impact of magnet programs across the United States.

A growing trend on Instagram is Gen Z’ers asking “is this story real?” in response to content surfacing in their feeds. They’re smart to be asking. An unprecedented number of new forces are reshaping our information ecosystem. If the internet created the infrastructure that supercharged information flow, these new forces are heavily influencing the kind of information that’s flowing.

At East Career Technical Academy (ECTA), students are not just educated; they are empowered to succeed in life. As Destiny, a senior at the school, shares her journey, it’s clear that ECTA is more than just a traditional high school. It is a unique learning environment that emphasizes project-based education, equipping students with essential life skills like communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and the effective use of technology.

As a founding pillar, family and community partnerships are a sign of a highly effective school. These connections with community members, industry leaders, and local businesses support the education of all students, connecting the real-world to the school building. This engagement is often seen within board members, job fairs, and speakers. However, students struggle to connect with professionals through these more-typically established connections.

I teach at Freese Elementary in San Diego, CA, an Arts and Culture Museum Magnet School. When I first started, I had the same question that many people do: What exactly does it mean to be a museum school, especially for my second graders? How was I supposed to help them understand our unique magnet theme when I was still figuring it out myself?