Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 1/25/2024 5:08:00 PM

For Immediate Release 

Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti 
Hillsborough County Public Schools  
Office of Communications 
813-272-4060 

Tampa, Fl. (January 25, 2024) – Leaders with Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) are proud to announce that 27 of our magnet schools have been named National Magnet Award winners.  

Magnet Schools of America released the results today, honoring schools with National Merit Awards of Excellence and National Merit Awards of Distinction. 

The 27 schools represent the highest number of winners in our district's history. Only four other school districts in the United States earned more awards than Hillsborough County Public Schools. HCPS finished second in the state of Florida in total awards earned, total Excellence awards earned, and total Distinction awards earned.  

“This is an incredible achievement for so many of our magnet schools. Every year, students and their parents rush to apply for our magnet programs,” said Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Van Ayres. “Our teachers, administrators, school and district support staff work tirelessly to bring innovative programs to students. Our magnet student enrollment numbers have grown every year. By next year, we will have nearly 20,000 students enrolled in our magnet schools.” 

Right now, students are accepting their offers for HCPS magnet schools for the 2024-2025 school year. The window to accept offers for the first application window ends January 30, at 11:59 p.m. The next Choice/Magnet application window will be announced soon and will likely open in mid-February. We are excited to welcome even more students into our magnet programs.  

Here is a list of schools that earned awards: 

Magnet School of Excellence Award winners:  

  • Lincoln Elementary Magnet School for International Studies  

  • Macfarlane Park Elementary Magnet School (designated a National Magnet Demonstration School since 2021-22) 

  • Shore Elementary Magnet School of the Arts (designated a National Magnet Demonstration School in 2023-24)  

  • Spoto High School  

  • Tampa Bay Technical High School  

 Magnet School of Distinction Award winners:  

  • Armwood Collegiate Academy  

  • Blake High School 

  • Dunbar Elementary Magnet School  

  • Girls Preparatory Academy at Ferrell Middle Magnet School  

  • Boys Preparatory Academy at Franklin Middle Magnet School 

  • Jefferson High School  

  • Lennard High School  

  • Leto High School  

  • Lockhart Elementary Magnet School  

  • Marshall Middle Magnet School  

  • Muller Elementary Magnet School  

  • Orange Grove Middle Magnet School 

  • Progress Village Middle Magnet School of the Arts 

  • Rampello K-8 Downtown Partnership Magnet School 

  • Riverhills Elementary Magnet IB World School (designated a National Magnet Demonstration School in 2021-22) 

  • Rodgers Middle Magnet School  

  • Roland Park K-8 Magnet School  

  • Stewart Middle Magnet School 

  • Tampa Heights Elementary Magnet School  

  • Walker Middle Magnet School 

  • Williams Middle Magnet School  

  • Young Middle Magnet School