Wednesday, January 21, 2026
M-DCPS Receives More National Magnet Merit Awards Than Any Other District in the U.S. over 14 Years
Magnet Schools of America (MSA), a national organization representing more than 4,000 magnet schools and programs, has recognized Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) with 97 awards for the 2025-2026 award cycle. MSA annually recognizes magnet schools and programs for their commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, equitable access, specialized teaching staff, and parent/community involvement.
M-DCPS received 61 Magnet Schools of Excellence Merit Awards and 36 Magnet Schools of Distinction Merit Awards. Additionally, 14 Magnet schools are being considered for a Top-Performing Magnet School Merit Award. Schools earning the MSA Merit Award, whether Distinction or Excellence, rank within the top 5% category of all magnet schools nationwide. Schools awarded the Magnet Schools of Excellence Merit Award excelled in all areas measured and serve as National Exemplary Magnet School Models.
This year’s awards have propelled the total Magnet Merit Awards received by M-DCPS to an impressive 807 over the past 14 years. This is more than any other district in the country. This accomplishment underscores the District's commitment to fostering dynamic educational environments that adhere to the Magnet School Standards of Excellence. As we celebrate this milestone, M-DCPS continues to prove that we are the best choice for education in Miami-Dade for children and families, consistently providing an exceptional educational experience.
M-DCPS’ award-winning Magnet Schools for 2025 are as follows:
|
SCHOOLS OF DISTINCTION |
|
|
SCHOOL |
PRINCIPAL |
|
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS |
|
|
Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts |
Barbara J. Leveille- Brown |
|
Joella C. Good Elementary School |
Mileydis Torrens |
|
North Hialeah Elementary School |
Carlos A. Salcedo |
|
Phyllis Ruth Miller Elementary School |
Kisa D. Humphrey |
|
Sunset Elementary School |
Ana C. Alvarez-Arimon |
|
K - 8 |
|
|
Ada Merritt K-8 Center |
Carmen M. Garcia |
|
Charles R. Drew K-8 Center |
Quintera S. Parris |
|
Henry S. West Laboratory School |
Dr. Michelle M. Sanchez |
|
Linda Lentin K-8 Center |
Sicily O. Mincey |
|
Thomas Jefferson Biscayne Gardens K-8 Academy |
Patrick Lacouty |
|
MIDDLE SCHOOLS |
|
|
Cutler Bay Middle School |
Jorge A. Parra |
|
Lamar Louise Curry Middle School |
Michele A. Bush |
|
Norland Middle School |
Dr. Sacha T. Challenger |
|
North Miami Middle School |
Dr. Philippe J. Napolean |
|
Palm Springs Middle School |
Heriberto Sanchez |
|
Redland Middle School |
Peter B. Gutierrez |
|
Richmond Heights Middle School |
Dr. Francisco M. Sauri |
|
Southwood Middle School |
Daniel E. Barreras |
|
W. R. Thomas Middle School |
Giovanna M. Handal |
|
6 – 12 CENTERS |
|
|
Maritime & Science Technology Academy (MAST) |
Dr. Michael H. Gould |
|
Miami Arts Studio 6-12 @ Zelda Glazer |
Dr. Miguel A. Balsera |
|
Young Men’s Preparatory Academy |
Pierre R. Edouard |
|
Young Women’s Preparatory Academy |
Maribel Rivera |
|
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS |
|
|
American Senior High School |
Humberto Brito |
|
Hialeah Senior High School |
Ignacio Rodriguez |
|
Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy |
Jose Enriquez Jr. |
|
MAST@ FIU Biscayne Bay Campus |
Roberto E. Sarmiento |
|
Miami Edison Senior High School |
James Dominique |
|
Miami Northwestern Senior High School |
Kedler Pouca |
|
Miami Springs Senior High School |
Nelson L. Gonzalez |
|
New World School of the Arts |
Dr. Contessa S. Bryant |
|
North Miami Beach Senior High School |
Randy A. Milliken |
|
South Miami Senior High School |
Herbert M. Penton |
|
Southwest Miami Senior High School |
Jorge M. Bulnes |
|
TERRA Environmental Research Institute |
Jose L. Sirven |
|
Westland Hialeah Senior High School |
Lucy P. Trillas |
|
SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE |
|
|
SCHOOL |
PRINCIPAL |
|
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS |
|
|
Ben Sheppard Elementary School |
Zulema C. Lamazares |
|
Dr. William A. Chapman Elementary School |
Tania L. Burns |
|
Earlington Heights Elementary School |
Vernatta E. Lee-Morrison |
|
George Washington Carver Elementary School |
Patricia D. Fairclough |
|
North Dade Center for Modern Languages |
LaToya A. James- Edwards |
|
K – 8 |
|
|
Air Base K-8 Center for International Education |
Alonza Pendergrass III |
|
Coconut Palm K-8 Academy |
Jose L. Pena III |
|
Frank C. Martin K-8 Center |
Elianeys Basulto |
|
Morningside K-8 Academy |
Leonardo Mourino |
|
MIDDLE SCHOOLS |
|
|
Arvida Middle School |
Angela Holbrook |
|
Hammocks Middle School |
Maritza Correa |
|
Hialeah Middle School |
Dr. Elvira D. Ruiz-Carrillo |
|
John F. Kennedy Middle School |
Kharim Armand |
|
Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School |
Elio Falcon Jr. |
|
Miami Lakes Middle School |
Maria Medina |
|
Paul W. Bell Middle School |
Rico L. Jones |
|
Ponce de Leon Middle School |
Angela C. Gonzalez |
|
Riviera Middle School |
Javier G. Nora |
|
Rockway Middle School |
Ruben Morales |
|
Ruben Dario Middle School |
Katrisha L. Smith |
|
Shenandoah Middle School |
Michelle L. Coto |
|
South Miami Middle School |
Fabiola V. Izaguirre |
|
West Miami Middle School |
Roniel Osorio |
|
6 – 12 CENTERS |
|
|
Arthur & Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts |
Dr. Carmen Jones-Carey |
|
iPrep Academy North |
Maite J. Robles |
|
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS |
|
|
Barbara Goleman Senior High School |
Dr. Manuel Sanchez III |
|
Coral Reef Senior High School |
Nicole Berge-Macinnes |
|
BIOTECH @ Richmond Heights 9-12 |
John L. Sterling |
|
Center for International Education A Cambridge Academy |
Jennifer C. Rodriguez-Ledesma |
|
Coral Gables Senior High School |
Anthony J. Balboa |
|
Cutler Bay Senior High School |
Lucas J. Delatorre |
|
Design and Architecture Senior High School |
Dr. Maggie M. Rodriguez |
|
Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School |
Lee R. Krueger |
|
Felix Varela Senior High School |
Adrian M. Sanchez |
|
G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School |
Allen N. Breeding III |
|
Homestead Senior High School |
Samuel J. Louis |
|
International Studies Preparatory Academy (ISPA) |
Dr. Alina M. Diaz-Blanco |
|
iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center |
Dr. Lena R. McArthur |
|
Medical Academy for Science and Technology (MAST @ Homestead) |
Jean R. Baril |
|
Miami Central Senior High School |
Raymond J. Sands |
|
Miami Coral Park Senior High School |
Scott A. Weiner |
|
Miami Killian Senior High School |
Dr. Earl Burth |
|
Miami Lakes Educational Center |
Yaset Fernandez |
|
Miami Norland Senior High School |
Rhonda L. Gaines-Miller |
|
Miami Palmetto Senior High School |
Victoria G. Dobbs |
|
Miami Senior High School |
Benny Valdes |
|
Miami Sunset Senior High School |
Rodolfo Rodriguez |
Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Top Magnet Schools of Excellence recipients for 2026 are as follows:
|
TOP MAGNET SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE MERIT AWARDS |
|
|
SCHOOL |
PRINCIPAL |
|
K – 8 CENTERS |
|
|
Bowman Ashe/Doolin K-8 Academy |
Aryam A. Alvarez |
|
Frances S. Tucker K-8 Center |
Marisol Garrido |
|
Hubert O. Sibley K-8 Academy |
Chandrell Larkin |
|
Southside Preparatory Academy |
Linette Tellez |
|
PK – 12 CENTERS |
|
|
iPreparatory Academy |
Barbara R. Soto Pujadas |
|
MIDDLE SCHOOLS |
|
|
George W. Carver Middle School |
Iliana B. Artime |
|
Herbert A. Ammons Middle School |
Maria Costa |
|
Horace Mann Middle School |
Dr. Ottolita T. Thompson |
|
Lawton Chiles Middle School |
Stephanie M. Tudor |
|
Howard D. McMillian Middle School |
Dr. Justin A. Koren |
|
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS |
|
|
Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School |
Juan C. Ramirez |
|
John A. Ferguson Senior High School |
Wendy A. Barnett |
|
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial High School |
William Aristide |
|
Miami Southridge Senior High School |
Humberto J. Miret |
Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Certified Magnet Schools are as follows:
|
CERTIFIED MAGNET SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE |
|
|
SCHOOL |
PRINCIPAL |
|
Ben Sheppard Elementary |
Zulema C. Lamazares |
|
John F. Kennedy Middle School |
Kharim Armand |
|
South Miami Middle School |
Fabiola V. Izaguirre |
|
Coral Reef Senior High School |
Nicole Berge-Macinnes |
|
iPrep Academy North |
Maite J. Robles |
For the most up-to-date information, please download the Dadeschools Mobile App to your iPhone or Android device. Follow us on X @MDCPS and @SuptDotres, on Instagram @miamischools and @suptdotres, and on Facebook at MiamiSchools.
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