Maplewood-Richmond Heights wins Magna Grand Prize Award

The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District has been named one of three grand prize winners in the American School Board Journal’s 18th annual Magna Awards program. Maplewood Richmond Heights earned the grand prize in the under 5,000 enrollment category for its outreach program for homeless high school students. School district officials worked with local churches and community volunteers to create Joe’s Place—a shelter for homeless male high school students. The shelter provides students with counseling and a caring home environment. Of the 14 students served by Joe’s Place, 13 have graduated from high school or on track to graduate. Six former Joe’s Place residents are attending college, one has joined the Navy, and two more are employed full-time. The Blue Springs School District was a Magna Award winner in the 5,000 to 20,000 enrollment category for developing the Liggett Trail Education Center for students with disabilities. The Magna Awards are supported by Sodexo School Services. Each of the grand prize-winning school districts will receive $4,000 in scholarship money during a special presentation at the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Annual Conference in Boston. The Magna Awards recognize districts across the country for outstanding programs that advance student learning and encourage community involvement in schools. This year’s three grand prize, 15 first place, and 15 honorable mention winners were selected from three enrollment categories: less than 5,000 students, 5,000 to 20,000 students, and over 20,000 students.