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National Spotlight Shines on 89 Los Angeles Unified Magnet Schools (1-17-25)

 

 

UPDATED News Release

 

CONTACT:

communications@lausd.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 17, 2025

 

National Spotlight Shines on 89 Los Angeles Unified 

Magnet Schools 

Unprecedented Record Number of Schools Recognized for Academic Performance

 

Los Angeles, CA (January 17, 2025) – For the second year in a row, Los Angeles Unified magnet schools have set a new record for excellence in education. Magnet Schools of America (MSA) has announced that 89 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 48 programs.

 

MSA’s National Merit Awards program honors the top magnet schools in the United States. These awards recognize magnet schools that demonstrate commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, successful desegregation and diversity efforts, and consistent delivery of high quality educational services to all stakeholders.

 

“This year’s unprecedented recognition demonstrates the unparalleled dedication of our educators, staff, and families in delivering world-class opportunities for our students,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “To see 89 of our magnet schools honored on a national stage is a true testament to the innovation and excellence happening every day in Los Angeles Unified classrooms.”

 

The District’s magnet programs span a variety of themes, including STEM, visual and performing arts, public service, communication arts, 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 89,000 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.

 

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

 

“We at Los Angeles Unified continue feeling honored to receive recognition for the outstanding teaching and learning opportunities we are able to provide to students in our magnets,” Board President Scott M. Schmerelson said.

 

This recognition reflects our District’s commitment to providing an innovative, high-quality education across a broad range of academic and career pathways,” Board Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas said. “Congratulations to the educators, students, and families for their record-breaking hard work and commitment to excellence.”  

 

"I'm pleased to celebrate the continued accomplishments of our magnet school programs,” Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill said. “They represent the broad array of educational programs and pathways available to our students as they prepare to be ready for the world."

 

“Congratulations to the LA Unified schools on receiving this national recognition of their exemplary magnet programs!” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “We are proud to have nearly doubled the number of schools receiving this honor from last year, and will continue working to ensure every child has access to a high-quality education in LA Unified.”

 

“What an exciting day for LAUSD and the 89 magnet schools being recognized as National Merit recipients. Congratulations to the students, families, faculty, and staff for their hard work and dedication to the specialized programs offered by these schools,” Board Member Karla Griego said.

 

"I’m so proud of the many amazing magnet programs we have across our District and particularly in Board District 6,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “Congratulations to the 89 schools recognized by the Magnet Schools of America. My thanks to the educators, staff, students, and families that make these programs what they are."

 

“I’m thrilled to celebrate the growing number of our LA Unified magnet schools receiving National Recognition and I’d like to give a special shout out to our 10 amazing Board District 7 schools, including my alma mater, Fleming Middle School,” Board Member Tanya Franklin Ortiz said. “Thank you to our educators, staff, and families for your creative and courageous efforts in delivering innovative, hands-on experiences that prepare our scholars for the college, career, and life of their dreams!”

 

For a full list of recognized schools and more information about the district’s magnet programs, see below or visit https://www.lausd.org/Page/18918.

 

For the most up-to-date information, please follow Los Angeles Unified on Twitter/X at @laschools and @lausdsup, Instagram at @laschools and @lausdsup and Facebook at @laschools and @AlbertoMCarvalho1.

 

 

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Los Angeles Unified 2025 Magnet Schools of Merit 


There are three levels of recognition:

 

Top Merit 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.

Merit 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. 

Merit 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.


Award Level

Magnet School Name

Top Merit Award of Excellence

Cleveland Charter High School Humanities Magnet

Top Merit Award of Excellence

Richard Henry Dana Middle School STEAM Magnet

Top Merit Award of Excellence

El Sereno Middle School and Magnet Center

Top Merit Award of Excellence

John F. Kennedy HS Architecture/Digital Design/Filmmaking Magnet

Top Merit Award of Excellence

John F. Kennedy HS Gifted/Highly Gifted/High Achieving Medical Magnet

Top Merit Award of Excellence

Open Magnet Charter

Top Merit Award of Excellence

Park Western Place Elementary School & Gifted STREAM Magnet

Top Merit Award of Excellence

George K. Porter Middle School Gifted Magnet

Top Merit Award of Excellence

Reseda Charter High School Police Academy Magnet

Top Merit Award of Excellence

Reseda Charter High School Science Magnet

Top Merit Award of Excellence

Southeast DREAMS Magnet

Top Merit Award of Excellence

Sylmar Biotech Health & Engineering Magnet

Top Merit Award of Excellence

Verdugo Hills High School Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Multimedia Magnet

Top Merit Award of Excellence

Westminster Math, Technology, & Environmental Studies Magnet Elementary School

Top Merit Award of Excellence

Stephen M. White S.T.E.A.M. Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

32nd Street USC Media Arts & Engineering Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

The Academy for Enriched Sciences

Merit Award of Excellence

Balboa Gifted/High Ability Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Bernstein Cinematic Arts & Creative Technologies Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School

Merit Award of Excellence

Bryson Avenue Elementary STEAM Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Luther Burbank Middle School Arts/Tech/Community Magnet and Police Academy Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Chatsworth Charter High School & G+STEAM Magnet Center

Merit Award of Excellence

ArTES Magnet High School

Merit Award of Excellence

Community Magnet Charter Elementary

Merit Award of Excellence

Daniel Pearl Magnet High School

Merit Award of Excellence

East Valley High School Media and Technology Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Elysian Heights Elementary Arts Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Alexander Fleming Science, Technology, Mathematics Magnet Program

Merit Award of Excellence

Robert Frost Middle School Gifted Music Conservatory Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Robert Frost Middle School STEAM Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Ulysses S. Grant High School College Preparatory and Digital Arts Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Hollywood High School Performing Arts Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Holmes Humanities Magnet Middle School

Merit Award of Excellence

Madison Middle School Medical Math Science Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Mayall Academy of Arts and Technology Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Maywood Computer Science Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

John B. Monlux Elementary Science/Tech/Math Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Nobel Charter Middle School STEAM Magnet Center

Merit Award of Excellence

North Hollywood High School Zoo Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Pacoima Middle School Film/Media/Performing Arts and Computer Science/Math Magnets

Merit Award of Excellence

Point Fermin Marine Science S.T.E.A.M. Magnet Elementary School

Merit Award of Excellence

Paul Revere Middle School and Magnet Center

Merit Award of Excellence

Roosevelt High School Law and Public Service Magnet Center

Merit Award of Excellence

San Fernando High School Math/Science/Technology Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

San Pedro High School Gifted STEAM Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Taper Avenue Elementary STEAM Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Van Nuys High School Magnet Programs

Merit Award of Excellence

Van Nuys Middle School STEAM Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Vintage Math/Science/Technology Magnet

Merit Award of Excellence

Virgil Middle School Medical and Health Sciences Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Phineas Banning High School College Preparatory, Firefighter/EMS, Police Academy, and STEAM Magnets

Merit Award of Distinction

Tom Bradley Global Awareness Magnet School

Merit Award of Distinction

John Burroughs Middle School Gifted and Highly Gifted Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Carson High School M.E.Di.A. Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Eagle Rock Elementary Gifted Magnet Centers

Merit Award of Distinction

Fairfax High School's Police Academy Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Franklin High School STEM Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

James A. Garfield High School Computer Science Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Hale Charter Academy Gifted STEAM Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Haskell STEAM Magnet ES

Merit Award of Distinction

Patrick Henry Middle School, Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Magnet (STEM)

Merit Award of Distinction

Patrick Henry Middle School Performing Arts & Visual Arts Magnet (PAVA)

Merit Award of Distinction

Hollywood High School New Media Academy Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

John F. Kennedy HS Global Leadership and Environmental Action Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Lawrence Middle School Gifted Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Abraham Lincoln Senior High School- Math, Science, and Technology Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Lomita STEAM Magnet Elementary School

Merit Award of Distinction

Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES)

Merit Award of Distinction

Los Feliz STEMM Magnet Elementary School

Merit Award of Distinction

Madison Middle School Computer Science Engineering Design Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Melrose Elementary Math/Science/Technology Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Stanley Mosk STEAM Magnet Center

Merit Award of Distinction

Mulholland STEAM Robotics Magnet School

Merit Award of Distinction

Multnomah Street Environmental Science Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Nightingale Middle School Business Entrepreneurship and Technology Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Northridge Middle School Medical and Health Careers Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School

Merit Award of Distinction

Palms Middle School Gifted Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Roy Romer Middle STEM Magnet School

Merit Award of Distinction

Math, Science, and Technology Magnet Academy (MSTMA) at Roosevelt High School

Merit Award of Distinction

The Science Academy STEM Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies

Merit Award of Distinction

South East Senior High STEAM Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Valley Oaks Center for Enriched Studies (VOCES) Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Verdugo Hills High School Visual and Performing Arts Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Welby Way Charter Elementary and Gifted Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Woodrow Wilson Senior High School Administration of Justice and Law Magnet

Merit Award of Distinction

Woodrow Wilson Senior High School Public Service Magnets