School City of East Chicago Earns Honor in 2025 Magna Awards Program for Innovation

We are happy to announce that the School City of East Chicago (SCEC) is a National School Boards Association (NSBA) 2025 Magna Award winner.

SCEC was recognized for its commitment to innovation in the 30th annual awards program. SCEC is one of 15 winners — three Grand Prize winners and 12 Silver Award winners — across the nation receiving this honor.

Sponsored by NSBA’s flagship magazine, American School Board Journal, the Magna Awards has a long history of recognizing exemplary school district programs.

The 2025 awards program recognizes district programs that solved a challenge with creativity and out-of-the-box strategies. Members of the NSBA Board of Directors Awards Committee selected the winners from district submissions.

This honor was awarded to us in recognition of our Student Support Teams at SCEC. Our Student Support Teams at SCEC are dedicated to ensuring every student receives the guidance and resources they need to thrive. By analyzing both academic and social emotional data, these teams identify at-risk students and create support plans to help them succeed. Their collaborative approach ensures that students receive personalized interventions, fostering both academic growth and emotional well-being.

“The Magna Awards celebrate the incredible innovation and leadership of school districts that are finding creative solutions to complex challenges,” said Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs, NSBA Executive Director and CEO. “This year’s winners demonstrate the profound impact that visionary school boards and educators can have on their communities, from expanding mental health services to promoting college access and supporting students with autism. We are honored to showcase their outstanding work and hope they inspire others to think boldly in support of student success."

The School City of East Chicago and the other winners will be highlighted in the April issue of ASBJ, set to be published online on Thursday, March 20.