Brea Junior High School is one of 42 Orange County public schools honored as a 2025 Distinguished School.

The 42 schools are among 408 statewide that California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond recently named as Distinguished Schools.

So what did Brea Junior High School achieve to receive this honor?

According to Brea Junior High Principal Kristin Risberg, the California Department of Education selects the schools based on high academic achievement in English as a Second Language or ESL, and math, and also high participation of statewide assessments, low suspension rates and no chronic absenteeism. It is also based on evidence of exceptional student performance or the closing of achievement gaps.

Brea Junior High achieved them all.

It was the only Brea campus named a Distinguished School this year, but every Brea school has been named a California Distinguished School, including the Brea Online Academy, at some point, said Melissa Serrato, BOUSD media specialist.

Impressive.

A recognition program will be held on April 24 at the Disneyland Hotel. Principal Risberg said that she and the school representatives will attend and that all of the schools will be recognized on stage.  Quite an honor.

Maybe the Distinguished School plaque will be hung on a new wall that will be part of the major renovations for the junior high.

Back in November 2024, Brea voters approved Measure H, a $160 million bond to update Brea schools, especially the 110-year-old junior high that first opened in 1916, and was remodeled in 1956. It certainly is overdue for a major makeover, and approximately 75% of the bond funds are going toward it.

It is, however, a slow process.

“We are currently in the planning phase,” Risberg said, adding that architects and the district are taking feedback on the conceptual plans from all of the stakeholders. In addition, staff members meet weekly with the architects, and there is a community feedback form on the district’s website: bousd.us.

The junior high’s entire campus really needs improvements and to make it look like a Distinguished School, and a safe, modernized facility for students, staff and visitors.

Another fine place for visitors is the Chino Hills State Park. After all the rain we had, the park is in bloom with beautiful plants and flowers, and the trails are urging us to come enjoy the scenery and the awesome views from various spots in the park.

The park has come a long way since it opened in 1981.

Something else that has come a long way is the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association. After 34 years, it is now Friends of Chino Hills State Park, because that is what they are. They promote conservation to protect animals and native plants in the park, sponsor and promote events and educate present and future stewards of the park.

Learn more at chinohillsstatepark.org and see how you can get involved.

And don’t forget to come to Brea’s Spring Craft Boutique this Friday and Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. at the Brea Community Center. Lots of great vendors, spring and Easter decorations. The hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Plenty of parking, plus if you park at the Brea Crosspointe Church at 217 E. Birch St., you’ll get free trolley rides to and from the boutique.  Glad that trolley is getting some use.

Terri Daxon is a freelance writer and the owner of Daxon Marketing Communications. She gives her perspective on Brea issues twice a month. Contact her at  daxoncomm@gmail.com.