Magnet Schools of America

In the 1960's in the United States, some options to traditional public schools sprang up as a protest against racially segregated schools.  The history of magnet schools is tied to the 1960's protest over school desegregation and the educational reform model of public school choice as a way to address educational inequity.

In the 1980's, Magnet Schools of America (MSA) was organized as a for-profit organization, incorporated in the State of Texas, sponsoring conferences.  In the early 1990's, a small group of magnet leaders met and organized an Association of members.  In 1994, MSA was approved by the IRS as a 501(c) 3 not-for profit, professional educational association.  Originally located in Houston, TX, MSA relocated its office to Washington, D.C. in 2000.

Today, MSA sponsors programs, events, technical assistance, student scholarships, professional development, and leadership through the National Institute for Magnet School Leadership (NIMSL).  There are approximately 4,000 magnet and theme-based schools across the U.S.