DPMHS shines bright at the National Conference of Magnet Schools

Satenik Ayrapetyan • April 11, 2025

Magnet Coordinator James Morrison shows off the School of Excellence award at this year’s Magnet Schools of America Conference in Nashville Tennessee. The conference lasted from April 7 to April 10 and Morrison had the opportunity to learn from other magnet coordinators to better influence student education on campus.

When Magnet Coordinator James Morrison held the plaque awarded to Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) by the Magnet Schools of America (MSA), he felt amazed.

“I felt that this was a national statement about what we do,” Morrison said. “It’s a wonderful thing for student education and that this is not the apex of our program, but the beginning of a new era of success.”

This January, DPMHS was named a School of Excellence by MSA for the first time in the school’s history. This honor demonstrates the magnet’s outstanding education, dedication, innovative curricula and overall impact on students and communities. DPMHS was one of the 89 schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District to be recognized for this award.

“Now knowing that our school is among the top of the nation, I feel very happy for the generations to come,” Associated Student Body (ASB) President Genesis Cuellar-Figueora said. “Having such a grand title, this award can show our school under a better light.”

As part of this victory, Morrison attended MSA’s conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference lasted from April 7 and lasted until April 10. While at the conference, Morrison learned from other magnet coordinators around the nation, enabling him to find different perspectives on how to rebrand and better influence student education.

“I will be taking what I have learned and apply it to what the district is offering,” Morrison said. “I will also apply it in how to explore a theme more in depth and apply it in a meaningful context when I go to our schools to promote our magnet.”

Morrison, as well as other faculty and students, hope that this award will help the school combat low enrollment. The school hopes to hang banners on campus not only to empower students, but to showcase their hard work. Principal Armen Petrossian and Morrison plan on applying for the award as many times as possible in hopes of receiving the highest award. For future students and seniors, this award can be included on their college applications that they attended a magnet school in the top 4% in the nation.

“To have received it, it speaks to the efforts of the school, the staff, teachers, volunteers on the amazing environment that we have at the school and how we foster high student achievement,” Petrossian said.

About the Contributor

Satenik Ayrapetyan, Print Editor-in-Chief, Social Media Editor

Satenik Ayrapetyan is this year’s Print Editor-in-Chief and Social Media Editor. This will be her third and final year on The Pearl Post and she is beyond ecstatic to lead the team. She also serves as Student Body Secretary, National Honor Society President and Pride Club President. Additionally, she has spent two years on the Los Angeles Times High School Insider Advisory Board and was one of eight students selected for their summer internship. Her goal for this year is for the staff to have five printed magazines. In her free time, she enjoys geeking out about Dungeons and Dragons or swimming laps.