Two District 196 elementary magnet schools have been selected for recognition in Magnet Schools of America’s 2025 Merit Awards program. Echo Park Elementary School of Leadership, Engineering and Technology and Glacier Hills Elementary School of Arts and Science are among only 33 elementary schools in the nation that earned the Top School of Excellence award. Both will be recognized at the Magnet Schools of America conference this spring.
The Top School of Excellence Award is given to a select group of magnet schools that have demonstrated the highest level of excellence in all facets of the merit award application. Only four schools in Minnesota achieved the excellence designation this year from the Magnet Schools of America, which promotes choice, equity, diversity, access, and excellence for all students.
“I am so excited for our students and staff,” said Echo Park Elementary Principal Logan Schultz. “The rigorous selection process is based on many factors, including student achievement, family engagement, magnet integration, and closing achievement and opportunity gaps. I want to thank our community for supporting magnet school programming and STEM education.”
“We are grateful to be awarded Top Magnet School of Excellence and humbled by this most recent recognition for the third consecutive year,” said Glacier Hills Principal Adriana Henderson. "We are committed to academic excellence, fostering strong community partnerships, and ensuring equitable practices for all in alignment with our school’s arts and science programming."
Glacier Hills was recognized as a Top Magnet School of Excellence in 2023 and 2024. Echo Park Elementary received merit awards previously, as have the other elementary magnet schools in District 196: Cedar Park Elementary STEM School; Diamond Path Elementary School of International Studies, and Oak Ridge Elementary School of Leadership, Environmental and Health Sciences. District 196 offers Valley Middle School of STEM for grades 6-8 students. The district’s K-12 STEM pathway of schools includes Cedar Park, Echo Park, Valley Middle and Apple Valley High School, which has a fabrication lab and STEM focus. The School of Environmental Studies for high school juniors and seniors is also part of the district’s magnet school offerings.
District 196 magnet schools are open to all students in District 196 and open-enrolled students from other districts. Enrollment is determined through an application and lottery process held each January. Transportation is provided for District 196 students who are selected for enrollment in a magnet school. For more information, go to www.District196.org/MagnetSchools/.