Among 134 national winners recognized by the Magnet Schools of America (MSA), Miami-Dade county had 28 schools earn the Magnet Schools of Distinction Award which will be presented at the National MSA Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina in April. Local schools, Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy and Hialeah-Miami Lakes (HML) were among the 28 Miami-Dade recipients for the award.
Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy was recognized for the third consecutive year as a school of distinction for their magnet programs in math and science technology where students focus on three strands: life science, physical science or computer science.
The academy house grades 6 through 12 and uses a concept-based learning approach to immerse student in a 21st century curriculum.
HML was also recognized as a school of distinction for their iPrep magnet program, the brainchild of Miami-Dade County Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, whose mission is to provide students with a technology-rich environment and opportunities for growth with a university curriculum, all within the high school’s campus. All teachers are vetted and approved by FIU for a dual enrollment partnership so students have the opportunity to graduate high school with their associate’s degree.
Both schools were recognized for curriculum innovation, high academic standards, successful diversity efforts, specialized teaching staff, and parent community involvement.
“I’m extremely proud of the work of our teachers and students and what this means for our school and our community,” said HML principal Eric Acosta. “It just validates the work being done and the high standards in our program.”
Minimum requirements must be met for potential applicants for magnet programs, from there a lottery is done from the pool of applicants for acceptance. For more information on Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy visit www.mast3.com. For more information on HML’s iPrep Academy visit www.hmliprep.weebly.com.