The Magnet Schools of America (MSA) honored Southeast Career and Technical Academy (SECTA) with the Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Magnet School of Merit Award of Excellence, MSA’s most prestigious award for magnet schools. The award was announced at the 39th National Conference on Magnet Schools.
“This is a well-deserved honor for the students, staff, and administration at SECTA,” CCSD Board of School Trustees President Irene A. Cepeda said. “The dedication of our staff to student success is evident in these achievements, and they inspire our entire community.”
“This award highlights 55 years of effort from our staff and successful careers from our alumni in southern Nevada. To be recognized as the top magnet school in America provided our school community with a morale boost when we needed it most.” SECTA Principal Ryan Cordia said. “It feels great to be seen and honored for the work we do every day. We have the best school because our building is full of great people.”
MSA also awarded the Clark County School District (CCSD) the Donna Grady-Creer District Award for Magnet Sustainability, recognizing the District’s commitment to consistently improving access to high-quality educational opportunities for students.
“The Clark County School District continues to show the country what CCSD educators and students can accomplish.” Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara said. “While this spotlight is on the hardworking staff, students, and administration at SECTA, I urge our community to understand that this level of excellence is possible at every one of our CCSD schools.”
Additionally, ten CCSD students received scholarship awards from MSA.
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Reyna Aguinaldo – Spring Valley High School
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Nia Anderson – Southwest Career and Technical Academy
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Nethelie Ruby Cajeras – Valley High School
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Maria Fernanda Coloma-Abarca – Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy
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Paul Contreras Cedano – Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy
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Allison Hill – Las Vegas Academy of the Arts
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Amy Nova – Northwest Career and Technical Academy
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Franchesca Ramirez – Southwest Career and Technical Academy
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Katherine Son – West Career and Technical Academy
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Sarah Williams – Las Vegas Academy of the Arts
In making its annual announcement of outstanding Magnet schools, MSA selected 38 CCSD programs as Merit recipients for 2021-22.
The following CCSD programs earned the 2021-22 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:
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Basic Academy of International Studies
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Brown Academy of International Studies/ International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
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Clarence A. Piggott Academy of International Studies
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Gilbert Academy of Creative Arts
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Helen Anderson Toland International Academy
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Kenny C. Guinn STEM Academy
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Lied STEM Academy
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Robert O. Gibson Leadership Academy
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Roy W. Martin Middle School
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Southeast Career and Technical Academy
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Thurman White Academy of the Performing Arts
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Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy
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Walter Johnson Junior High School Academy of International Studies
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West Career and Technical Academy
The following CCSD programs earned the 2021-22 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:
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Advanced Technologies Academy
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Del Sol Academy of Performing Arts
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Desert Pines High School/ Desert Pines Magnet Academy
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East Career and Technical Academy
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Ed W. Clark High School
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Eldorado High School
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Hyde Park Middle School and the Academy of Science and Mathematics
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Jo Mackey iLead Academy for the Digital Sciences
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K.O. Knudson Academy of the Arts
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Las Vegas Academy of the Arts
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Lomie G. Heard Technology Academy
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Mabel Hoggard Math and Science Magnet School: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
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McCaw STEAM Academy
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Mike O’Callaghan Middle School i3 Learn Academy
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Northwest Career and Technical Academy
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Rancho High School Academy of Aviation Science & Technology
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Rancho High School Academy of Pre-Medicine
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Roger D. Gehring Academy of Science and Technology/STEM
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Southwest Career and Technical Academy
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The STEAM Academy @ Cashman Middle School
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The STEM and Medical Academy at Jim Bridger Middle School
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Valley High School International Baccalaureate Program
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Valley High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism
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Walter Bracken STEAM Academy
To learn more about Magnet Schools of America, visit magnet.edu. For more information about CCSD Magnet Schools, visit magnet.ccsd.net.
