LAX Leader

Recognizing outstanding academic excellence and innovation, the Magnet Schools of America has awarded 39 Los Angeles Unified schools with National Merit Awards. Shattering Los Angeles Unified’s prior record of 16 winners, this year’s National Merit Awards recipients include one Top School of Excellence, eight Schools of Excellence and thirty Schools of Distinction.

 

“This recognition is truly unprecedented for Los Angeles Unified,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “Thirty-nine of our magnet programs – a new record – have received national recognition and acclaim for providing our students with a rigorous curriculum coupled with real-world industry experience. Our students have access to programs specializing in math, science, arts, law enforcement, medicine and more at the elementary and secondary level – all within Los Angeles Unified. We are so proud of our amazing schools.”

 

Magnet Schools of America’s National Merit Awards program recognizes the top magnet schools in the United States for sustained excellence in academic performance, innovation and an ongoing commitment to providing an excellent educational experience.

 

“Congratulations to our amazing magnet programs for this well-deserved national recognition,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “These programs are successful because of the hard work of our educators, school staff and administrators who give their all every single day for our students.”

 

Los Angeles Unified offers a comprehensive magnet program that provides students with rigorous theme-based instruction based on specific fields of interest encompassing all sectors of society, including business, communication arts, enriched studies, liberal arts, public service, science/technology/engineering/math and visual and performing arts. The program also offers opportunities for gifted and highly gifted students.

 

“I could not be prouder of all 39 school communities that have been honored with Merit Awards by the Magnet Schools of America,” Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “This recognition of so many of our magnet schools is a testament to the amazing programs that have been built over the years by dedicated teachers, administrators, support staff, and most especially, our students and their families.”

 

Los Angeles Unified’s magnet program provides students with real-world industry experience at the elementary and secondary level, allowing students to foster industry connections within their community at an early age with ongoing partnerships with community and industry organizations. The District has more than 330 magnet programs with more than 85,000 students in attendance from K-12.

 

“The magnet programs in our District have long been centers of excellence,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “We are proud of the schools that have been recognized for their academic achievement.”

 

“We are proud of the students and school communities for this record-breaking distinction,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said. “Connecting real-world experience with an enriched learning environment is a hallmark of a world class education.”

 

“Congratulations to the LA Unified schools on this statewide recognition of their exemplary arts programs,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “We are committed to expanding equitable access to high-quality, comprehensive arts education so that every student can have the kinds of creative outlets and opportunities for self-expression that these programs provide.”

 

“Congratulations to our 39 Los Angeles Unified magnet schools for this exciting recognition,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “These rigorous, innovative and specialized academic programs prepare students for continued academic and lifelong success.”

 

“I’m proud to recognize our outstanding magnet schools in Los Angeles Unified, especially our Board District 7 schools – Lomita STEAM Magnet Elementary, San Pedro Gifted STEAM Magnet, Phineas Banning High School, and my alma mater Fleming Middle School – as recipients for the National Recognition,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “Thank you for your commitment in providing innovative, hands-on, and exceptional educational opportunities to our scholars in order to prepare them well for the colleges and careers of their dreams.”

 

National Merit Awards Recipients

 

AwardSchoolTop School of ExcellenceNorth Hollywood Senior High LA Zoo/Biological Science MagnetSchool of ExcellenceJohn Burroughs Middle School Gifted MagnetSchool of ExcellenceHollywood High School New Media Academy MagnetSchool of ExcellenceLomita STEAM Magnet ElementarySchool of ExcellenceVerdugo Hills High School - VAPA MagnetSchool of ExcellenceUlysses S. Grant High School College Preparatory and Digital Arts MagnetSchool of ExcellenceMayall Academy of Arts and Technology MagnetSchool of ExcellenceKennedy HS Gifted/Highly Gifted/High Achieving Medical MagnetSchool of ExcellenceChatsworth Park Urban Planning and Community Development Magnet Elementary SchoolSchool of DistinctionMelrose Elementary Math/Science/Technology Magnet SchoolSchool of DistinctionLos Feliz Science Technology Engineering Math Medicine MagnetSchool of DistinctionFairfax Senior High - Visual Arts MagnetSchool of DistinctionFairfax Senior High - Police Academy MagnetSchool of DistinctionSan Pedro Gifted STEAM MagnetSchool of DistinctionPhineas Banning High SchoolSchool of DistinctionAlexander Fleming Middle School Science, Technology, Mathematics Magnet ProgramSchool of Distinction32nd USC Media Arts and Engineering Magnet SchoolSchool of DistinctionVerdugo Hills High School STEMM MagnetSchool of DistinctionVan Nuys Middle School STEAM MagnetSchool of DistinctionVan Nuys High SchoolSchool of DistinctionThe Academy for Enriched SciencesSchool of DistinctionSherman Oaks Center for Enriched StudiesSchool of DistinctionReseda Charter High School Science MagnetSchool of DistinctionReseda Charter High School Police Academy MagnetSchool of DistinctionPacoima Middle School Film/Media/Performing Arts and Computer Science/Math MagnetsSchool of DistinctionOlive Vista Middle School STEAM MagnetSchool of DistinctionNorthridge Middle SchoolSchool of DistinctionLawrence Gifted/Highly Gifted MagnetSchool of DistinctionLake Balboa College Preparatory Magnet SchoolSchool of DistinctionHale Charter Academy Visual And Performing Arts MagnetSchool of DistinctionHale Charter Academy STEAM MagnetSchool of DistinctionGeorge K. Porter Middle School and Gifted MagnetSchool of DistinctionChavez ArTES MagnetSchool of DistinctionOrthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High SchoolSchool of DistinctionRoosevelt HS Science Technology Math MagnetSchool of DistinctionFranklin High School STEM MagnetSchool of DistinctionFrancisco Bravo Medical Magnet High SchoolSchool of DistinctionBryson Avenue Elementary STEAM MagnetSchool of DistinctionOpen Charter Magnet

Original source can be found here