National Leader in Magnet Education: Los Angeles Unified Again Tops MSA Awards List

National Leader in Magnet Education: 

Los Angeles Unified Again Tops MSA Awards List 

LOS ANGELES (January 22, 2026) – For the third year in a row, Los Angeles Unified magnet schools have set a new record for excellence in education. Magnet Schools of America (MSA), the national association for magnet and theme-based schools, has announced that 119 Los Angeles Unified magnet programs are ranked among the nation’s best, the highest number in the District’s history and a significant leap from last year’s record-breaking 89 programs.

 MSA’s National Merit Awards program honors the top magnet schools in the United States. These schools are judged and scored on their demonstrated ability to raise student academic achievement, promote racial and socioeconomic diversity, provide integrated curricula and instruction, and create strong family and community partnerships that enhance the school’s magnet theme. 

 “Once again, Los Angeles Unified is setting the pace nationally,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “This recognition reflects the imagination of our students and the unwavering commitment of our educators and families. From STEM labs to performing arts stages, our magnet programs open real pathways to college, career, and civic life and ensure every child is Ready for the World.”

The District’s magnet programs span a variety of areas, including STEM, visual and performing arts, communication arts, career and social entrepreneurship, liberal arts, and gifted education. These programs equip students with real-world industry experience, foster partnerships with community organizations, and provide pathways to success in higher education and beyond. 

Los Angeles Unified offers over 330 magnet programs serving nearly 81,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. These programs not only provide rigorous, theme-based instruction but also foster lifelong connections between students and their communities.

Leaders of the winning schools will formally receive these awards during Magnet Schools of America’s National Conference on April 14-17, 2026, in San Diego.

With the highest number of awards in the nation’s history, Los Angeles Unified continues to set the standard for innovation and excellence in magnet education.

“I am ecstatic to see 119 Los Angeles Unified magnet schools making the list of top ranked programs among the Magnet Schools of America,” LAUSD Board President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “It is an honor to belong to such a wonderful school district that has the best students and staff. This recognition is their achievement and solidifies that LAUSD continues to be a great place for learning and community. I am especially proud to see many of my Board District 3 schools make the list including Daniel Pearl, North Hollywood, Chatsworth Charter High School, and so many others. Congratulations to all schools, staff, and students. 

“This recognition affirms what our families and communities already know: When we invest intentionally in inclusive, student-centered learning, our students thrive,” Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill said. “Our magnet schools open doors to rigorous, engaging opportunities that reflect the diversity, talent, and potential of Los Angeles. I am proud of the educators, students, and families whose commitment to excellence and equity continues to make Los Angeles Unified a national leader.”

"Congratulations to the historic number of LA Unified magnet programs receiving national recognition this year—especially at Hollywood High, Reseda High, Bancroft Middle, SOCES, Taft High, Westminster Elementary,  Melrose Elementary, Revere Middle, Rosewood Elementary, Sutter Middle, and Venice High in Board District 4!” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “As we continue working to expand access to high-quality programs across the District, these schools serve as a blueprint for the incredible and innovative options we can offer our families.”

“We are proud to have more than one hundred magnet programs in Los Angeles recognized for their excellence by Magnet Schools of America this. This achievement is a testament to our educators who provide high-quality instruction across a wide variety of pathways." Board Member Kelly Gonez said. "Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!”

For a full list of recognized schools and more information about the district’s magnet programs, see below or visit https://choices.lausd.net/magnet. To learn more about the national merit awards program, visit www.magnet.edu. 

Los Angeles Unified 2026 Magnet Schools of Merit 

 Top Magnet School of Excellence Awards are schools that are the highest ranked in the “excellence category” are eligible to receive monetary awards and the chance to be named among the nation’s “Top” schools.

• Daniel Pearl Magnet High School
• Hollywood High School New Media Academy Magnet
• John F. Kennedy HS Global Leadership and Environmental Action Magnet
• John Marshall High School Gifted Magnet
• Math, Science, and Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High School
• North Hollywood High School Zoo Magnet Center
• Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School
• Reseda Charter High School Police Academy Magnet
• Sylmar Biotech Health & Engineering Magnet
• Washington Irving STEAM Magnet School

Magnet School of Excellence Awards are given to only a select group of magnet schools that have demonstrated the highest level of excellence in all facets of the merit award application. 

• 7th Street Elementary School Arts Integration Magnet
• Abraham Lincoln Senior High School- Math Science Technology Magnet
• Andrew Carnegie Arts, Media, Music, & Entertainment Magnet
• Andrew Carnegie Medical Magnet
• ArTES Magnet High School
• Bancroft Gifted Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math Magnet
• Bernstein Cinematic Arts & Creative Technologies Magnet
• Chatsworth Charter High School & G+STEAM Magnet Center
• Dana Middle School STEAM Magnet
• Eagle Rock Elementary Gifted Magnet Centers
• El Sereno Middle School & Magnet Center
• George K. Porter Magnet for Innovative Thinking
• Haskell STEAM Magnet
• Henry T. Gage STEAM Magnet Middle School
• John Burroughs Middle School - Gifted Magnet
• John F. Kennedy HS Architecture/Digital Design/Filmmaking Magnet
• John F. Kennedy HS Gifted Medical Magnet
• Kester Avenue Elementary Gifted/High-Ability Magnet
• Lorne Street Elementary STEAM Magnet
• Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies
• Madison Middle School Medical Math Science Magnet
• Maywood Center for Enriched Studies
• Maywood Computer Science Magnet
• Mount Gleason Middle School Gifted/High Ability Magnet
• Multnomah Street Elementary Environmental Science Magnet
• North Hollywood High School Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Magnet
• Phineas Banning High School College Preparatory, Firefighter/EMS, Police Academy, and STEAM Magnets
• Reseda Charter High School Science Magnet
• Richard E. Byrd Middle School Science, Technology, & Mathematics Magnet
• Robert Frost Middle School Gifted Music Conservatory Magnet
• Robert Frost Middle School STEAM Magnet
• Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet
• Roosevelt High School Law and Public Service Magnet
• Roy Romer Middle School STEM Magnet
• Roybal Film and Television Magnet
• SAGE Magnet at Louis Armstrong Middle School
• San Pedro High School Gifted STEAM Magnet
• Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies
• South East Senior High STEAM Magnet
• Taft Charter High School Gifted STEAM Magnet
• Thomas Starr King Middle School
• Ulysses S. Grant High School College Preparatory and Digital Arts Magnet
• Verdugo Hills High School STEMM Magnet
• Virgil Middle School Medical and Health Sciences Magnet
• Westminster Math, Technology, & Environmental Studies Magnet

 Magnet School of Distinction Awards are the second level of awards given to magnet schools that have met all the basic requirements outlined in the merit awards scoring rubric.

• Academy for Enriched Sciences
• Alexander Fleming Science, Technology, Mathematics Magnet Program
• Arroyo Seco Museum Science Magnet
• Bancroft Performing Arts Magnet
• Berendo Middle School - Game Development and Esports Magnet
• Bryson Avenue Elementary STEAM Magnet
• Carson High School Musical Entertainment & Digital Arts (M.E.Di.A. Magnet)
• Cleveland Charter High School Humanities Magnet
• Downtown Magnets High School
• Eastside STEM Magnet
• Esteban Torres High School, Performing Arts Magnet
• Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School
• George Ellery Hale Charter Academy Gifted STEAM Magnet
• George K. Porter Middle School Gifted Magnet
• Griffith STEAM Magnet Middle School
• Hale Charter Academy Visual And Performing Arts Magnet
• Hollywood High School Performing Arts Magnet
• Holmes Middle School Humanities Magnet
• Iovine and Young Center Integrated Design,Technology, Entrepreneurship Magnet
• James A. Garfield High School Computer Science Magnet
• John B. Monlux Science/Tech/Math Magnet
• John C. Fremont STEAM Magnet High School
• John H. Francis Polytechnic Math, Science, Technology Magnet
• King Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science
• Lake Balboa College Preparatory Magnet School K-12
• Lawrence Middle School Gifted Magnet
• Lomita STEAM Magnet Elementary School
• Los Feliz STEMM Magnet
• Lucille Roybal-Allard Elementary DREAMS Magnet Center
• Luther Burbank Middle School Arts/Tech/Community Magnet and Police Academy Magnet
• Madison Middle School Computer Science Engineering Design Magnet
• Mayall Academy of Arts and Technology Magnet
• Melrose Elementary Math Science Technology Magnet
• Menlo Ave. K-8 STEAM Magnet
• Mount Gleason Middle School: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Magnet
• Mulholland Junior Police Academy Magnet
• Multnomah Street Elementary Gifted Magnet
• Nimitz Middle School Science/Technology/Mathematics Magnet
• Nobel Charter Middle School STEAM Magnet Center
• Northridge Middle School Liberal Arts Magnet
• Olive Vista STEAM Magnet
• Pacoima Middle School Film/Media/Performing Arts and Computer Science/Math Magnets
• Palms Middle School Gifted Magnet
• Park Western Place Gifted STREAM Magnet
• Patrick Henry Middle School Performing Arts & Visual Arts Magnet (PAVA)
• Paul Revere Middle School and Magnet Center
• Point Fermin Marine Science S.T.E.A.M. Magnet Elementary School
• Rosewood STEM Magnet Urban Planning and Urban Design
• Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle School - Gifted Magnet Program
• San Fernando High School Math/Science/Technology Magnet
• Sotomayor Arts & Sciences Magnet
• Southeast DREAMS Magnet
• Stephen M. White S.T.E.A.M. Magnet
• Stonehurst STEAM Magnet
• Sutter Middle School STEAM & Leadership Magnet
• Tom Bradley Global Awareness Elementary School
• Van Nuys High School Magnets
• Van Nuys Middle School and STEAM Magnet
• Venice High School STEMM Magnet
• Venice High School World Languages and Global Studies Magnet
• Verdugo Hills High School, Visual and Performing Arts Magnet
• Welby Way Charter Elementary Gifted Magnet
• Wilson Administration of Justice and Law Magnet
• Woodrow Wilson High School Public Service

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