Wednesday, April 15
Opening Keynote
Rafael López
Rafael López is a New York Times bestselling, award winning illustrator, born and raised in Mexico City. His illustrations bring diverse characters to children’s books and he is driven to produce books that reflect and honor the lives of all young people. He is the recipient of 3 Pura Belpré medals, the Schneider Family Book Award, Jane Addams Book Award, Tomas Rivera Book Award and is the illustrator of 3 New York Times bestsellers. López is a founder of the Urban Art Trail movement in San Diego’s East Village creating a series of large-scale murals bringing the community together.
What to expect
Why Attend?
This premier event brings together over 1400+ passionate educators, including magnet school teachers, principals, and administrators from all corners of the country.
Expect to be inspired by outstanding keynote speakers who share fresh insights and vision. Dive into a dynamic array of sessions and explore best practices in curriculum and instruction, advanced technology integration, visionary school leadership, and the art of magnet school design.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and shape the future of education at the forefront of magnet school excellence!
Upcoming
Know Before You Register
School tours will be take place Tuesday, April 14. There is an additional $49 fee to attend a tour. Fee must be paid in full to participate.
Registration must be paid in full prior to the start of the conference in order to participate.
If full payment is not received in advance, either a valid purchase order must be emailed to support@magnet.edu or a completed credit card authorization form must be submitted online by clicking the "Modify Registration" link in your registration confirmation email—no later than March 23, 2026, to ensure a smooth conference experience.
Stay to Attend. To receive full conference access and take advantage of discounted hotel rates, all attendees are required to book their accommodations within the official hotel block.
Booking through the official block not only ensures convenient access to event venues and amenities but also directly supports our ability to host high-quality events and keep registration fees affordable in future years.
Join The Conversation
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Save $210
EARLY BIRD
Through 3/13
Facts & figures
About The Event
1,400+
Attendees
80+
Sessions
coming soon...
School Tours
2025 Nashville Highlights
Connections
Dynamic Speakers & Performances
Awards & Recognition
2026
Highlights & New Additions
School Tours & Site Visits
Go beyond the conference and experience magnet education where it happens. School tours and site visits showcase innovative programs, engaging learning environments, and real-world best practices—offering inspiration and ideas you can take back to your school or district.
Connect directly with educators and leaders who are shaping the future of magnet schools.
Party Like It's 1986
40 Years of Magnet Excellence
The Magnet Lab
Powered by Braindate.
Dive into one-on-one or small-group knowledge exchanges on topics you care about. Braindate pairs participants with peers or experts for personalized, flexible conversations—think mentorship, idea-sharing, and deep dives into specific challenges. Whether scheduled ahead of time or discovered on the spot, Braindate helps you connect with the right people for real-world insights and actionable takeaways.
Interested in
Becoming a Sponsor?
For a list of sponsorship levels and benefits, download our sponsorship opportunities brochure here.
Year-long Sponsors
To Sponsor, Advertise, or Exhibit
Contact Bruce Bassin at bbassin@showcare.com
Event Details
When
