The excellence of the Clark County School District (CCSD) Magnet School programs has once again been recognized by Magnet Schools of America (MSA).
In making its annual announcement of outstanding Magnet schools, MSA selected 36 CCSD programs at 34 schools as Merit recipients for 2019-20. Sixteen CCSD Magnet Schools were awarded Schools of Excellence designation and 19 schools were awarded Schools of Distinction designation.
Two programs at Rancho High School earned the MSA Magnet School of Excellence Award. The school earned recognition for its Academy of Pre-Medicine and Academy of Aviation Science & Technology. Valley High School also earned two awards. The school’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism earned a merit award of excellence and the International Baccalaureate Programme earned a Magnet School of Distinction Award.
“A big congratulations to our schools for their ongoing commitment to providing the best choice for all students,” CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara said. “Magnet Schools are a critical part of our effort to improve equity and choice inside the District, this is why we eliminated barriers for our students. Thank you to all of the students, staff and community members who continue to help these programs excel.”
The following CCSD programs earned the 2019-20 MSA Magnet School of Excellence Award, which is the top merit award category given to a select group of Magnet Schools across the nation that have demonstrated the highest level of excellence in all facets of the merit award application:
- Southeast Career and Technical Academy
- Thurman White Academy of the Performing Arts
- Rancho High School Academy of Aviation Science & Technology
- Rancho High School Academy of Pre-Medicine
- Walter Bracken STEAM Academy
- Advanced Technologies Academy
- Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy
- C.V.T. Gilbert Academy of Creative Arts
- Mike O’Callaghan Middle School i3 Learn Academy
- East Career and Technical Academy
- Jo Mackey Academy of Leadership and Global Communication
- Roger D. Gehring Academy of Science and Technology
- Robert O. Gibson Middle School Leadership Academy
- The STEAM Academy of Jim Bridger Middle School
- K.O. Knudson Middle School Academy of Creative Arts and Technology
- Valley High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism
- Walter Johnson Junior High School Academy of International Studies
Schools of Excellence are eligible to receive monetary awards and are eligible to be named the nation’s top elementary, secondary, or new and emerging Magnet School. One of the Schools of Excellence will also be selected to win $5,000 and the Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Distinguished Merit Award, which is considered the most prestigious Magnet School award in the nation.
The following CCSD programs earned the 2019-20 Magnet School of Distinction Award, which is the second-highest level of awards given to Magnet Schools that have met all the basic requirements outlined in MSA’s merit awards scoring rubric:
- Lomie G. Heard Elementary School
- Southwest Career and Technical Academy
- Northwest Career and Technical Academy
- Las Vegas Academy of the Arts
- Hyde Park Middle School
- Canyon Springs High School Leadership & Law Preparatory Academy
- Gordon McCaw STEAM Academy
- Sandy Searles Miller Academy for International Studies
- Lied STEM Academy Middle School
- Clarence Piggott Academy of International Studies
- West Career and Technical Academy
- Mabel Hoggard Math & Science Magnet Elementary School
- Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts
- Valley High School International Baccalaureate Programme
- Roy W. Martin Middle School
- Desert Pines Magnet Academy
- Ed W. Clark High School
- B. Mahlon Brown Academy of International Studies
- Kenny C. Guinn STEM Academy
“Through magnet programs, we are able to demonstrate what is possible in the world for all students regardless of background,” CCSD Magnet Schools and Career and Technical Academies Director Gia Moore said. “These programs are such an integral part of our community and provide students opportunities to discover their talents and abilities. These awards are a testament to great leadership and teachers at these schools.”
To learn more about Magnet Schools of America, visit magnet.edu. For more information about CCSD Magnet Schools, visit magnet.ccsd.net.
