Magnet Schools of America Celebrates 2025 National Merit Award Winners


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC, January 17, 2025  – Magnet Schools of America (MSA) is excited to unveil the winners of its prestigious 2025 National Merit Awards, honoring 94 Top Magnet Schools of Excellence, 192 Magnet Schools of Excellence, and 206 Magnet Schools of Distinction. These schools represent the pinnacle of magnet education, excelling in academic achievement, fostering diversity, implementing innovative curricula, exhibiting strong leadership, and engaging families and building community partnerships.

“Each year, we have the privilege of recognizing magnet schools that truly set the bar for public education,” said Ramin Taheri, MSA CEO. “The schools awarded this honor exemplify the dedication, innovation, and impact that magnet programs bring to students and communities nationwide. They deserve to be celebrated as leaders in shaping the future of education.”

The National Merit Awards celebrate schools demonstrating exceptional commitment to MSA’s Five Pillars: diversity, innovative curriculum and professional development, academic excellence, leadership, and family and community partnership. MSA member schools compete for this recognition by submitting a comprehensive application reviewed by a trained panel of experts.

Award categories include:

  • Top Magnet Schools of Excellence: The highest honor awarded to a select group of top-performing magnet schools.
  • Magnet Schools of Excellence:  A prestigious recognition for schools that exceed rigorous criteria  for magnet excellence.
  • Magnet Schools of Distinction: A significant recognition for schools that meet rigorous criteria for magnet excellence.

Award recipients will be celebrated at MSA’s annual conference, being held this year April 7-10 in Nashville. Each winning school will receive a commemorative plaque during a special awards ceremony.

The most exceptional schools in the Top Magnet Schools of Excellence category are also eligible for monetary awards. These include:

  • Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Magnet School of Excellence Award ($5,000): Recognizing the legacy of Dr. Simpson, a founding MSA member and past president.
  • Donald Waldrip Magnet Schools of Excellence Award ($2,500): Honoring MSA’s first Executive Director and founding member.
  • Elementary Magnet School of Excellence and Secondary Magnet School of Excellence ($2,500 each): Highlighting outstanding leadership in elementary and secondary magnet programs.
  • Presidents’ Magnet School of Excellence ($1,000): A tribute to the contributions of MSA presidents over the years.
  • New and Emerging Magnet School of Excellence Award ($1,000): Celebrating innovation in newer magnet schools.

Founded in 1986, MSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education association representing more than 4,300 magnet schools and their 3.5 million students. MSA works to advance its mission of “providing vision, leadership and support for innovative programs that promote choice, equity, diversity, access, and excellence for all students.”

For more information about MSA and its programs, visit www.magnet.edu.

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