Introduction to LAUSD’s Record-Breaking Year
Three schools in San Fernando Valley scored top national honors for their magnet programs–capping off a record-breaking year in which Los Angeles Unified School District nearly doubled its previous total, with 89 programs recognized by the Magnet Schools of America (MSA).
Grover Cleveland Charter High School in Reseda was named the Best Magnet School in the Country at the MSA conference held earlier this month in Nashville.
National Awards and Recognitions
Rebecca McMurrin, principal at Ulysses S. Grant Senior High School in Van Nuys, clinched the Principal of the Year title. And Naomi Talens, a student at George Ellery Hale Charter Academy in Woodland Hills, won the national Student Art Contest.
The awards were presented at the MSA 2025 conference, held April 7-10, which honored schools, educators and students who embodied MSA’s core pillars of diversity, innovation, academic excellence, leadership and family and community partnerships.
Reaction to the Awards
McMurrin said she was “overwhelmed” by the national recognition after being named Region II Principal of the Year.
“I thought there’s no chance that I would get the national title as well,” she said. “So I was quite literally stunned, speechless when it happened, when I heard them call my name. It was pretty overwhelming.”
McMurrin said the honor was a surprise because recognition isn’t what drew her to education.
“We don’t go into education to receive awards and to get honored. We’re there for kids, for students, and to improve students’ lives and learning,” she said. “So to get any recognition at all is pretty overwhelming. This kind of a thing is beyond anything that I ever would’ve imagined when I got into education.”
The Role of the Community
She credited the award to the Grant High School’s community–from students and teachers, to staff and the parents who trust the school with their children.
Rebecca McMurrin, principal of Ulysses S. Grant Senior High School, right, talks with student Love Burnes on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. McMurrin has been named the Principal of the Year. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rebecca McMurrin, principal of Ulysses S. Grant Senior High School, right, talks with librarian Sara Cover on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. McMurrin has been named the Principal of the Year. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
“I’m just a reflection of the work that’s happening every single day,” McMurrin said. “A principal is leading the school, but there’s so many people doing the work.”
The school’s magnet programs played a major role in shaping that success, she said.
Magnet Programs
The campus is home to two magnets—the Humanities Magnet for Interdisciplinary Studies, and the College Preparatory and Digital Arts Magnet. The College Preparatory and Digital Arts Magnet has been recognized by Magnet Schools of America as a Magnet School of Excellence.
The magnet has been part of Grant High School since the 1990s, but McMurrin said it underwent major changes nearly a decade ago to better reflect the needs of 21st century students.
“I worked with my magnet coordinator, Andrea Caruso … and both of us together just kind of re-envisioned and created the magnet with a new focus,” she said.
Magnet schools are public schools with specialized themes or classes. Families choose to apply to magnet schools instead of being assigned to a school based on their neighborhood zones.
“It gives you belief in the public education system that there are those schools out there that can provide a private school level education for students and for the families, and it’s at no additional cost to them,” McMurrin said.
Conclusion
The recognition comes during a year of success for LAUSD. Earlier this year, 89 of the district’s magnet programs were honored by MSA – the highest number in LAUSD history, and a sharp increase from last year’s then-record 48 programs.
The second largest school district in the nation operates more than 330 magnet programs, serving nearly 89,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. These programs span a range of themes, including STEM, visual and performing arts, public service, communication arts, liberal arts and gifted education.
“These awards affirm our commitment to excellence and opportunity for every learner,” LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said in a statement. “Together, we are setting a national standard for what’s possible in public education.”
FAQs
Q: How many LAUSD magnet programs were recognized by MSA this year?
A: 89 LAUSD magnet programs were recognized by MSA this year.
Q: What is the name of the principal who won the Principal of the Year title?
A: Rebecca McMurrin, principal at Ulysses S. Grant Senior High School in Van Nuys.
Q: What is the name of the student who won the national Student Art Contest?
A: Naomi Talens, a student at George Ellery Hale Charter Academy in Woodland Hills.
Q: How many magnet programs does LAUSD operate?
A: LAUSD operates more than 330 magnet programs.
Q: What is the range of themes for LAUSD magnet programs?
A: The range of themes includes STEM, visual and performing arts, public service, communication arts, liberal arts and gifted education.
Originally Published: April 24, 2025 at 6:00 AM PDT
