CUSD Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley Wins Prestigious 2026 McGraw Prize in Education
Dr. Brawley receives the national Pre-K–12 Education Prize for his leadership and the remarkable transformation of Compton Unified School District
The Compton Chamber of Commerce proudly congratulates Compton Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley on being named the 2026 recipient of the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education in the Pre-K–12 Education category.
Three McGraw Prizes are presented annually, with one recipient selected in each of three distinct categories: Pre-K–12 Education, Higher Education and Lifelong Learning. Dr. Brawley is the 2026 honoree in the Pre-K–12 category, which recognizes outstanding leadership and measurable impact in the education of children and young people from preschool through high school.
Widely regarded as one of the education field’s most prestigious honors, the McGraw Prize recognizes extraordinary leaders whose innovation, perseverance and accomplishments are expanding educational opportunity and making a meaningful difference in students’ lives.
The official announcement was issued on September 17, 2026, by the McGraw Center for Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Dr. Brawley was selected for leading what the announcement described as one of the nation’s most notable examples of sustained school-district improvement.
A Remarkable Transformation in Compton
Dr. Brawley began serving as superintendent of Compton Unified School District in 2012. During his tenure, the district’s graduation rate has increased from 58% to 94%, while college-acceptance rates have risen to 95%.
Under his leadership, Compton Unified has strengthened classroom instruction, expanded college and career pathways, introduced innovative educational programs and developed partnerships that connect scholars with opportunities beyond the classroom.
The district has also gained national attention for its emphasis on STEAM education, technology, career preparation and the belief that every child can achieve academic success—regardless of ZIP code or economic circumstances.
These accomplishments are central to why Dr. Brawley was selected for the Pre-K–12 Education Prize. His recognition is specifically tied to the sustained improvement of a public school district serving predominantly Black and Latino students and to the expansion of educational opportunities for Compton scholars from the earliest grade levels through high school graduation.
This national recognition demonstrates how far Compton Unified has progressed and places the district’s educational transformation before a much broader audience.
About the McGraw Prize and Its Three Categories
The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education was established in 1988 to recognize educators and education leaders whose work has advanced learning and expanded opportunity. Since its establishment, the prize has honored more than 100 influential teachers, superintendents, university leaders, public officials, nonprofit leaders and education innovators.
Recipients are selected through a public nomination process followed by three rounds of judging, including a final review by an independent panel of prominent education leaders.
The three annual prize categories recognize achievement across different areas of education:
Pre-K–12 Education: Leadership and innovation affecting students from preschool through the completion of high school.
Higher Education: Achievement in colleges, universities and other postsecondary educational institutions.
Lifelong Learning: Educational work that reaches learners beyond traditional schools and universities, including professional, public and continuing education.
Dr. Brawley is the 2026 Pre-K–12 Education recipient. The other two 2026 honorees are University of the People founder Shai Reshef in the Higher Education category and University of Texas at Austin professor Michael Webber in the Lifelong Learning category.
The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Family Foundation selected the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education as the home of the prize in 2020.
Formal Ceremony and $50,000 Award
Dr. Brawley will be formally honored during the 2026 McGraw Prize ceremony on November 10, 2026, in New York City.
As the recipient of the Pre-K–12 Education Prize, he will receive a $50,000 award and a specially commissioned kinetic sculpture created by artist Gary Traczyk.
Each of the three category recipients receives the same individual recognition and award. The ceremony will therefore honor Dr. Brawley for Pre-K–12 Education alongside Reshef for Higher Education and Webber for Lifelong Learning.
The event will bring national recognition to Dr. Brawley’s leadership and to the progress achieved by Compton Unified’s scholars, educators, administrators and families.
Although the prize is administered by the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, Dr. Brawley is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
A Proud Moment for Compton
The Compton Chamber recognizes that an achievement of this magnitude reflects both exceptional leadership and the collective work of an entire school community.
We congratulate Dr. Brawley, the CUSD Board of Trustees, educators, administrators, staff members, scholars, families and community partners who have contributed to the district’s continuing progress.
Dr. Brawley’s selection as the nation’s 2026 McGraw Prize recipient for Pre-K–12 Education sends an important message across the country: meaningful and sustained educational transformation is taking place in Compton.
The Compton Chamber thanks Dr. Brawley for his dedication to local scholars, his commitment to expanding opportunity and his unwavering belief in what the young people of Compton can accomplish.
Congratulations, Dr. Darin Brawley, on this extraordinary and well-deserved national honor. You have made Compton proud.
Additional information is available from the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education and Compton Unified School District.
