New York’s Orleans/Niagara Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Oklahoma’s Lawton Public Schools, and Maryland’s Prince George’s County Public Schools are the Grand Prize winners in the 29th annual Magna Awards program sponsored by the National School Boards Association’s flagship magazine, American School Board Journal (ASBJ).

In addition to the three Grand Prize winners, 15 Silver Award winners were selected. This year, the Magna Awards recognize school districts and their leaders for their innovative, out-of-the-box thinking to address district challenges. Members of the NSBA Board of Directors Awards Committee selected the winners from district submissions.

“The Magna Awards spotlight innovative programs that are making a difference for students and the communities where they live,” said NSBA Executive Director and CEO Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs. “From providing incarcerated individuals with essential job readiness training and hope for the future to preparing students for the ever-evolving landscape of careers through specialized programs, each of our Grand Prize-winning programs exemplifies the transformative power of education. These award winners serve as shining examples of what can be achieved when creativity and dedication intersect in the pursuit of excellence."

Grand Prize-winning programs:

Under 5,000 enrollment: New York’s Orleans/Niagara Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) Corrections Literacy and Job Skills: A Second Chance program provides incarcerated students and adults the opportunity to take classes and training to increase their chance of employment after release. Watch the video below to learn more about the program.

5,000 to 20,000 enrollment: Oklahoma’s Lawton Public Schools Life Ready Center partners with educational organizations and universities to provide students introductory and advanced electives that enable them to explore several career paths. Watch the video below to learn more about the program.

Over 20,000 enrollment: Maryland’s Prince George’s County Public Schools Specialty Program: Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology guides students through the process of conducting research to solve real-world challenges and participate in aerospace engineering and aviation technology internships at local companies. Watch the video below to learn more about the program.

Representatives from the three Grand Prize-winning districts will be presenters at NSBA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans in April and be highlighted in the April issue of ASBJ.

Silver Award-winning programs:

Under 5,000 enrollment

• Bristol Bay Regional Career and Technical Education Program, Bristol Bay Region, Alaska
• Multi-Tiered System of Supports Framework (MTSS), Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District #6, Cottonwood, Arizona
• Center for Advanced Professional Studies, Park City School District, Park City, Utah
• Roosevelt Rising! Roosevelt Union Free School District, Roosevelt, New York
• Middle Grades New School Design for Safety, Collaboration, and Innovation, West Bloomfield School District, West Bloomfield, Michigan
• Elementary STEM, Windsor Central School District, Windsor, New York

5,000 to 20,000 enrollment

• WELLcome to Bay Shore, Bay Shore Union Free School District, Bay Shore, New York
• Career and Technical Education Center of Hobbs, Hobbs Municipal Schools, Hobbs, New Mexico
• Prevention and Resources Offering Mentorship, Intervention, Support, and Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.), Southwest Independent School District, San Antonio, Texas
• Superintendent Student Voice Council, Yakima School District, Yakima, Washington

Over 20,000 enrollment

• The 21st Century School Buildings Program, Baltimore City Public School System, Baltimore, Maryland
• Family Support Center, Clark County School District, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Summer Teacher Cadet Academy, Macomb Intermediate School District, Macomb County, Michigan
• Well-Being Social Work, Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, Maryland
• Youth Development, Newport News Public Schools, Newport News, Virginia

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