Pasadena Unified’s Octavia E. Butler Magnet Receives National Awards

(L-R) Ramin Taheri (Chief Executive Officer, Magnet Schools of America), Jason Trapp (OEB instructional coach), Noemi Orduña (Principal, Octavia E. Butler Magnet), and Theresa Porter (President, Board of Directors, Magnet Schools of America) (Photo – PUSD)

Octavia E. Butler (OEB) Magnet has been named a Nationally Certified Demonstration School by Magnet Schools of America (MSA), one of only 33 in the country and the only California school selected this year. OEB also received the Merit School of Excellence Award at the MSA conference in New York last week.

By News Desk

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) is now home to two of only three nationally certified demonstration magnet schools in California. Altadena Arts Magnet received the prestigious certification in 2021.

Schools that attain Certified Demonstration meet and exceed magnet schools’ standards of excellence and serve as learning models for magnets across the country to replicate. The national certification process recognizes the school’s work to promote diversity; innovative curriculum and professional development; academic excellence; leadership; and, family and community partnerships.

Magnet School of Excellence Awards are given to only a select group of magnet schools that have demonstrated the highest level of excellence in all facets, and demonstrate an exemplary commitment to academic standards, curriculum innovation, desegregation/diversity efforts, specialized teaching staff, and parent and community involvement.

PUSD Interim Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco, Ed.D., said:

This national recognition of excellence is a major achievement for the students, staff, and families of Octavia E. Butler Magnet. It is also a testament to the level of excellence that PUSD schools are achieving. With two of three nationally-certified demonstration magnet schools in California, PUSD is serving as a model for school districts in the state and across the country.”

OEB is part of PUSD’s second federal magnet grant, awarded in 2017. PUSD was also awarded federal magnet grants in 2022 and 2013. The 2022 grant totals nearly $15 million over the five years for Longfellow Elementary, Washington Elementary STEM Magnet, and Eliot Arts Magnet.

PUSD is home to seven MSA-established magnet schools:  Altadena Arts Magnet Elementary, Eliot Arts Magnet Middle, Longfellow Elementary, Washington Elementary STEM Magnet, Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary, Octavia E. Butler Magnet, and John Muir High School Early College Magnet.