Four School District Five schools have received Merit Awards by Magnet Schools of America (MSA), the national association for magnet and theme-based schools.
Irmo High School International School for the Arts was named a Top Magnet School of Excellence.
“The MSA Merit School recognition celebrates our commitment to excellence and our promise to keep raising the bar for student success,” Irmo High School Principal Dr. Kaaren Hampton said. “Together, we are continuing to strengthen a culture of achievement that empowers our magnet programs to thrive.”
Irmo High School International School for the Arts offers a dynamic, standards-based curriculum allowing students to explore their talents and specific interests. The arts based, global learning environment encourages and promotes students to nurture skills within concepts, issues, and themes. The accredited program integrates real-world experiences through visual and expanded performing arts, academic excellence and exciting international excursions.
Leaphart Elementary School STEAM Magnet and Spring Hill High School Career Pathways Magnet have been named a National Magnet School of Excellence.
Leaphart Elementary School STEAM Magnet offers students a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. The STEAM curriculum is grounded in authentic, project-based learning and design thinking to inspire, challenge, and empower all students. The inquiry-based approach relies heavily on student-led investigations where students are encouraged to take risks, experience failure, and try again.
“We are honored and thrilled that our school has been named a Magnet School of Excellence,” Leaphart Elementary School Principal Courtney Sims said. “As a STEAM magnet, this recognition celebrates the dedication and creativity of our students, the passion and expertise of our staff, and the unwavering support of our families. Guided by our mission to #Think3D, we challenge learners to approach problems with depth, dimension, and design — inspiring curiosity, innovation, and academic excellence. This award belongs to everyone who lives our STEAM mission daily.”
Spring Hill High School Career Pathways Magnet is a comprehensive all-choice, all-magnet, public high school that offers five focus programs to students from grades 9-12 including: Engineering, Entertainment, Entrepreneurial, Environmental Studies and Exercise Science academies. Through these academies, students are immersed into high tech, real-world environments which develop core knowledge, ignite imagination and make learning relevant by using themed standards-based curriculum.
“Congratulations to our entire Spring Hill family for being recognized as a 2026 Magnet School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America,” Spring Hill High School Principal Dr. Michael Lofton said. I am so proud of our students who have embraced The Spring Hill WAY and strive to achieve their best each and every day. I am equally proud of our nationally ranked staff for their hard work and dedication to their students and each other. Thank you to our parents who provide tremendous support for our school. It is because of all of you that SHHS continues to receive national recognition…The Spring Hill WAY.”
Nursery Road Elementary School-Arts Magnet has been named a National Magnet School of Distinction.
“This award celebrates Nursery Road students and the daily experience that makes them feel seen, valued, and inspired to learn through the arts,” Principal Karey Fisher said.
Nursery Road Elementary-Arts Magnet is the only elementary school in District Five that offers expanded arts for students as well as arts integration in the core classes. Once a week, students experience dance, theater, instrumental or general music, and visual or media arts in their Related Arts rotation. While in the core classes, the instrumental or general music teacher and the media or visual arts teachers co-teach with classroom teachers to facilitate arts integrated lessons. Integrating the Arts in the classroom creates a deeper understanding of cross-curricular content.
The schools will be recognized and receive their merit awards during an awards ceremony held at Magnet Schools of America’s National Conference April 14-17, 2026 in San Diego.
To receive a national merit award, members of Magnet Schools of America must submit an application scored by a panel of educators. These schools are judged and scored on their demonstrated ability to raise student academic achievement, promote racial and socioeconomic diversity, provide integrated curricula and instruction, and create strong family and community partnerships that enhance the school’s magnet theme.
“This is a great accomplishment for our schools,” said School District Five Magnet Director Sara Wheeler. “The Magnet Schools of America’s Merit Awards program recognizes member magnet schools annually that exemplify excellence. This recognition demonstrates that these schools are being honored for their outstanding work, which means they are among the best in the nation.”
To learn more about the national merit awards program, visit https://www.magnet.edu.
