State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced a list of 408 middle and high schools selected as 2026 California Distinguished Schools Program honorees.
The program celebrates schools that are able to “move the needle” on student achievement, the department said in a news release.
“An excellent public education has the power to transform lives, and I commend the educators and school communities who have dedicated themselves to producing exemplary results,” Thurmond said in a statement.
The California Distinguished Schools program started in 1985. Randall Benton rbenton@sacbee.com What is the Distinguished Schools Program?
The recognition program “aims to recognize exemplary instructional programs throughout California public schools,” the department said.
It has three award categories: exemplary high achievers, achievement gap closers and beacons of opportunity.
Schools recognized as exemplary high achievers both attain academic achievement and also ensure historically underserved student groups are maintaining or increasing academic progress, according to the California Department of Education.
Achievement gap closers accelerate academic progress for two or more groups of students that have been historically underserved. They also demonstrate “achievement for all students that is above the state median.”
New this year is the department’s “beacons of opportunity” recognition category. The California Department of Education said it recognizes schools serving rural and Title I communities with “multiple student outcomes at very high performance.”
Middle and high schools are recognized every other year. In the alternate years, the department recognizes elementary schools and kindergarten through eighth grade schools. And schools are automatically considered the years they are eligible.
The program was launched in 1985. The 2026 California Distinguished Schools, along with 2025 California Blue Ribbon Schools, 2026 Green Achievers, 2026 Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award Schools, and 2025 Civic Learning Awards of Excellence will be recognized at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on April 24, the department said in a news release.
The California Distinguished Schools program celebrates schools that are able to “move the needle” on student achievement, the department said in a news release. Maskot Getty Images What Sacramento County schools were recognized this year?
Five Sacramento County schools were recognized as part of the 2026 California Distinguished Schools Program.
Toby Johnson MiddleRobert L. McCaffrey MiddleLiberty Ranch HighWest CampusWinston Churchill MiddleWhat schools from surrounding counties were recognized?
Nearly two dozen schools from El Dorado, Placer, San Joaquin, Yolo and Yuba counties were also recognized as part of the 2026 California Distinguished Schools Program.
El Dorado County:
Camerado Springs MiddleRolling Hills MiddleMiller’s HillMarina Village Middle
Placer County:
Placer HighGranite Oaks MiddleRocklin HighWestern Sierra Collegiate AcademyWarren T. Eich MiddleAntelope HighAlder Creek MiddleNorth Tahoe High
San Joaquin County:
Aspire Benjamin Holt College Preparatory AcademyManteca HighSierra HighHealth Careers AcademyStockton Early College AcademyMerrill F. West HighMillennium Charter
Yolo County:
Washington Middle College High
Yuba County:
Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts
The California Department of Education shared the full list of honorees on its website.
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