FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Marisa Berumen, mberumen@sandi.net, 619-847-6029
Jenna Roberson, jenna.roberson@magnet.edu
Director of External Affairs, Magnet Schools of America
MAGNET SCHOOLS OF AMERICA TO CONVENE NATIONAL CONFERENCE, SHOWCASING IMMERSIVE SCHOOL TOURS ACROSS SAN DIEGO UNIFIED
SAN DIEGO, CA (APRIL 13, 2026) — Magnet Schools of America (MSA) will host its annual National Conference from April 13-17, 2026, in San Diego, California, convening more than 1,400 educators, school leaders, and policymakers from across the country to advance innovation and excellence in public education.
This year’s conference will spotlight one of the nation’s most dynamic magnet systems, offering attendees unparalleled access to real-world examples of magnet education in practice in the San Diego Unified School District.
Magnet schools are public schools of choice that offer specialized academic programs, such as STEM, performing arts, world languages, and career pathways, designed to attract students from different backgrounds and neighborhoods. For more than five decades, magnet schools have expanded access to high-quality public education while promoting innovation and academic excellence. Today, more than 4,000 magnet schools serve millions of students in communities across the country; over 17,000 students are enrolled in magnets in San Diego Unified.
The conference will feature nationally recognized keynote speakers, expert-led sessions, and collaborative learning opportunities focused on curriculum and instruction, advanced technology integration, leadership development, and the design and sustainability of high-quality magnet schools. Participants will engage with forward-looking strategies and proven approaches that strengthen public school choice and expand student opportunity.
A central highlight of the 2026 conference is its extensive lineup of school tours and site visits across San Diego Unified, as well as nearby Cajon Valley Union Elementary School District, Coronado Unified School District, and High Tech High charter network, where participants will visit more than a dozen magnet schools representing a wide range of themes and grade levels.
Conference participants will visit the following San Diego Unified schools:
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Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary
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Clairemont High School (Linked Learning Academy)
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Creative Performing Media Arts (CPMA Middle)
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Freese Arts and Culture Museum School
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Language Academy (French and Spanish Immersion)
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Mira Mesa High School (CTE Pathways)
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Montgomery Middle School (Media Arts and STEAM Magnet)
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Nipaquay Elementary School
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Oak Park Elementary (Music and Media Arts Magnet)
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Pacific Beach Middle School (IB World School)
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Roosevelt International Middle School (IB and Media Arts Magnet)
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San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SDCPA)
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Wangenheim Middle School
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Webster Elementary Academy of Science and the Arts
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Zamorano Elementary Fine Arts Academy
These immersive experiences are designed to bring the magnet model to life. Attendees will tour classrooms, observe innovative teaching and learning in action, and explore how specialized programs are implemented with fidelity and impact.
“San Diego provides an exceptional example of how magnet schools can deliver academic excellence while expanding opportunity for students from different backgrounds,” said MSA CEO Ramin Taheri. “By opening their doors to conference participants, these schools are offering a powerful, on-the-ground look at what makes the magnet model a proven and enduring approach to public school choice.”
The school tours are intentionally structured to move beyond observation, giving attendees concrete, replicable practices they can adapt within their own local contexts. For many participants, these visits are the most impactful component of the conference—bridging the gap among policy, design, and day-to-day implementation.
“We are proud to welcome educators from across the country to San Diego Unified to see our magnet schools in action,” said San Diego Unified Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D. “Our magnet programs create engaging, high-quality learning experiences that expand opportunity, spark curiosity, and prepare students for success in college, career, and life.”
This conference comes on the heels of a recent survey commissioned by MSA that found 76% of Americans view magnet schools favorably, with strong support across Democrats, Republicans, and independents. The poll also found that Americans support magnets more than a range of other popular school choice initiatives.
For registration and additional information, including details on school tour offerings, please visit www.magnet.edu.
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About San Diego Unified School District
San Diego Unified School District is California’s second-largest school district, serving a diverse population of students across the city of San Diego with a commitment to academic excellence, equity, and whole-child development. Visit SanDiegoUnified.org to learn more.
About Magnet Schools of America
Founded in 1986, Magnet Schools of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education association representing and serving the nation’s thousands of magnet and theme-based schools.
Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District
Office: 619-725-5578 Email: communications@sandi.net
4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103
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