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The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education

The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education celebrates innovation, inspiration, and impact in education by recognizing outstanding individuals whose accomplishments are making a difference in the lives of students.

114
 

Extraordinary leaders honored since 1988

$50K
 

Awarded to recognize each innovator building a better future for students

37
 

Years of celebrating changemakers

 

 

“Our Prize winners are outstanding leaders who have devoted their careers to closing gaps and accelerating educational opportunity to all students.”

—Harold McGraw III, former Chair, CEO, and President of The McGraw Hill Companies

Explore winners >>

 

Blue graphic of the 2025 McGraw Prize Winners featuring headshots of Joe Wolf and Rapelang Rabana, Cathy N. Davidson, and Frederic Bertley from left to right

Congratulations to this year’s winners

The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Family Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education are thrilled to honor these inspiring innovators.

Learn more about the winners.

A Who’s Who of Educational Leadership

The McGraw Prize was established in 1988 by the Board of Directors of McGraw-Hill to honor Harold W. McGraw, Jr., the Chair and CEO. Throughout his life and building on his grandfather’s legacy as a teacher, Mr. McGraw was a vocal and vigorous advocate for education. He believed that society needed to celebrate the role of educators.

Learn More about the McGraw Prize

Latest News

Christine Cunningham speaks as part of a panel at the 2020 McGraw Prize in Education awards ceremony.
News

The 2017 McGraw winner has spent her career making STEM education more equitable, hands-on, and relevant for all students. Now she’s doing that work at the Museum of Science in Boston.

Reshma Saujani speaks to an audience in front of a "Girls Who Code" logo.
News

The 2018 McGraw winner and founder of Girls Who Code was named one of Time magazine’s Women of the Year for her work advocating for affordable childcare.

Debra Duardo delivers her McGraw Prize acceptance speech at a podium on stage in 2023 while representatives of Penn GSE watch behind her.
News

2023 McGraw Prize winner Debra Duardo, the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, recently appeared on a SXSW Edu panel to discuss the best ways to support immigrant students.