Not long ago, another middle school made the switch to magnet.

At the time, O'Callahan Middle School near Hollywood and East Lake Mead was a one star school.

Six years later, the O'Callaghan ilearn Academy Academy just earned a five star rating.

I go to Mike O Callaghan I Learn Academy.

Eighth grader Stephen Quintero dreams of becoming an engineer.

What made me come to this school is because when I was doing research about the school, when I get out of high school, I would like to do engineering.

So there is robotics engineering here.

He is one of about 1400 students who attend the Clark County School District's only STEM magnet middle school on the city's east Side.

I'm going on nine years.

It'll be nine years.

December 15th, actually.

Longtime Principal Scott Pfleger helped guide O'Callahan through the transition to a magnet school six years ago.

we were one of three schools that received funds to convert.

And it was a journey.

...the brain.

And then are you going to try again... Robotics teacher John Drew was hired as the school turned magnet.

it was all very new.

Very new that going into the magnet program was new, but exciting.

Exciting.

I was very excited to come and work here.

The O'Callahan I Learn Academy focuses on four areas of STEM study video production, web design, video game technology and robotics.

I Learn Academy is like it's a school itself.

It's where you get to learn a lot of programs.

It's like saying, I will learn this like, you get to learn whatever you are interested in.

And while the magnet school accepts applications from all of the district, the far majority of students live nearby.

We are really happy to serve the East community because there's nothing like this.

There was nothing like this before we got here, right before we became a magnet.

And families wanted this for their kids.

They wanted technology.

The expectations here are high, we have very clear rules in a magnet school.

And I think that that helps the students, too.

They know if they mess up, they're going to have to turn that around.

but so is the progress.

O'Callahan I Learn Academy Academy is now a five star school.

there's an interest in the school.

And I think that's the the biggest factor, in my opinion, is that when there's interest in school that students will accelerate and learn.

As for Stephen, he wants to continue on to a career and technical academy next year.

But not before passing on this advice.

I highly recommend students to come to this school.

Bravo.

And Steven, by the way, is not alone.

Last year, 84% of students at O'Callahan continued on to a magnet high school.

Keep up the good work.

So proud of you.