State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2024 California Distinguished Schools

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that 293 middle schools and high schools have been selected for the prestigious 2024 California Distinguished Schools Program, California’s school recognition program that recognizes two categories of exceptional schools: those closing the achievement gap and those demonstrating exceptional student performance.

Since its inception in 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Award remains one of the state’s most important ways to celebrate exceptional schools, districts, teachers, and classified employees for their innovation, talent, and success in supporting students.

The exceptional middle and high schools recognized this year are illustrative of the persistence and promise of California’s students, educators, and schools. To select California Distinguished Schools, the California Department of Education (CDE) uses multiple measures to identify eligible schools based on their performance on the state indicators as specified on the California School Dashboard (Dashboard).

Specifically, schools were selected by analyzing data reported through the 2023 Dashboard, with a focus on demonstrating excellence and growth in academic achievement and ensuring a positive school climate.

Schools are recognized for exceptional student performance based on achieving exemplary performance in English Language Arts (ELA) and math, reducing suspensions, and demonstrating high graduation rates (high schools only).

Schools recognized for closing the achievement gap enroll at least 40 percent of their students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and, in addition to demonstrating exemplary overall performance in ELA and math, achieve accelerated academic growth for one or more historically underserved student groups.

Information regarding the 2023 Dashboard is provided on the CDE California School Dashboard and System of Support web page.

“It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 293 secondary schools for their efforts to provide exemplary public education to all students. Excellent middle schools and high schools play a critical role in the life outcomes of our young people,” Thurmond said. “This year’s California Distinguished Schools celebration provides us with an opportunity to recognize the hard work of our secondary educators and school staff who help our young adults discover passions and access college- and career-ready experiences that will propel them through life.”

The 2024 California Distinguished Schools, along with the 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools, 2023 Civic Learning Award Schools, and 2023 and 2024 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award Schools, will be recognized at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on May 3, 2024.

The list of 293 schools for 2024 is below. Elementary schools and middle and high schools are recognized in alternate years; therefore, awardees hold the title for two years. For more information, please visit the CDE California Distinguished Schools Program web page.

2024 California Distinguished Schools

County	District	School Name
Alameda	Alameda Unified	Lincoln Middle
Alameda	Berkeley Unified	Martin Luther King Middle
Alameda	Castro Valley Unified	Creekside Middle
Alameda	Dublin Unified	Dublin High
Alameda	Dublin Unified	Wells Middle
Alameda	Fremont Unified	Irvington High
Alameda	Oakland Unified	AIMS College Prep High
Alameda	Oakland Unified	Downtown Charter Academy
Alameda	Pleasanton Unified	Pleasanton Middle
Alameda	Pleasanton Unified	Thomas S. Hart Middle
Alameda	San Lorenzo Unified	KIPP Summit Academy
Amador	Amador County Unified	Jackson Junior High
Butte	Chico Unified	Chico Junior High
Butte	Chico Unified	Inspire School of Arts and Sciences
Butte	Durham Unified	Durham Intermediate
Colusa	Pierce Joint Unified	Lloyd G. Johnson Junior High
Contra Costa	Acalanes Union High	Acalanes High
Contra Costa	Acalanes Union High	Miramonte High
Contra Costa	Lafayette Elementary	M. H. Stanley Middle
Contra Costa	Martinez Unified	Martinez Junior High
Contra Costa	Mt. Diablo Unified	Diablo View Middle
Contra Costa	San Ramon Valley Unified	Pine Valley Middle
Contra Costa	West Contra Costa Unified	Middle College High
El Dorado	Buckeye Union Elementary	Camerado Springs Middle
El Dorado	Mother Lode Union Elementary	Herbert C. Green Middle
El Dorado	Rescue Union Elementary	Marina Village Middle
Fresno	Fresno Unified	Phillip J Patino School of Entrepreneurship
Fresno	Kings Canyon Joint Unified	Reedley Middle College High
Imperial	Holtville Unified	Holtville High
Inyo	Bishop Unified	Home Street Middle
Kern	Bakersfield City	Chipman Junior High
Kern	Bakersfield City	Paul L. Cato Middle
Kern	Delano Joint Union High	Cesar E. Chavez High
Kern	Fruitvale Elementary	Fruitvale Junior High
Kern	Lost Hills Union Elementary	A. M. Thomas Middle
Kern	Panama-Buena Vista Union	Earl Warren Junior High
Kern	Panama-Buena Vista Union	O. J. Actis Junior High
Kern	Panama-Buena Vista Union	Tevis Junior High
Kern	Rio Bravo-Greeley Union Elementary	Rio Bravo-Greeley Elementary
Kern	Wasco Union High	Wasco High
Lassen	Susanville Elementary	Diamond View Middle
Los Angeles	ABC Unified	Cerritos High
Los Angeles	ABC Unified	Gahr (Richard) High
Los Angeles	ABC Unified	Tetzlaff (Martin B.) Middle
Los Angeles	ABC Unified	Whitney (Gretchen) High
Los Angeles	Alhambra Unified	Mark Keppel High
Los Angeles	Antelope Valley Union High	SOAR High (Students On Academic Rise)
Los Angeles	Arcadia Unified	First Avenue Middle
Los Angeles	Bonita Unified	Ramona Middle
Los Angeles	Compton Unified	Bunche Middle
Los Angeles	Compton Unified	Compton Early College High
Los Angeles	Compton Unified	Davis Middle
Los Angeles	Compton Unified	Whaley Middle
Los Angeles	Compton Unified	Willowbrook Middle
Los Angeles	Covina-Valley Unified	Covina High
Los Angeles	Covina-Valley Unified	Las Palmas Middle
Los Angeles	Downey Unified	Doty (Wendy Lopour) Middle
Los Angeles	El Monte Union High	Arroyo High
Los Angeles	Glendale Unified	Anderson W. Clark Magnet High
Los Angeles	Glendale Unified	Eleanor J. Toll Middle
Los Angeles	Glendora Unified	Sandburg Middle
Los Angeles	Hacienda la Puente Unified	Glen A. Wilson High
Los Angeles	Inglewood Unified	Animo Inglewood Charter High
Los Angeles	Inglewood Unified	Wilder's Preparatory Academy Charter Middle
Los Angeles	Lawndale Elementary	Environmental Charter High - Lawndale
Los Angeles	Lennox	Animo Leadership High
Los Angeles	Lennox	Lennox Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy
Los Angeles	Long Beach Unified	California Academy of Mathematics and Science
Los Angeles	Long Beach Unified	Eunice Sato Academy of Math & Science
Los Angeles	Long Beach Unified	Stanford Middle
Los Angeles	Long Beach Unified	Stephens Middle
Los Angeles	Los Angeles County Office of Education	International Polytechnic High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles County Office of Education	Magnolia Science Academy 2
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Abraham Lincoln Senior High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Alfred B. Nobel Charter Middle
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Alliance Collins Family College-Ready High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Alliance Jack H. Skirball Middle
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Alliance Leichtman-Levine Family Foundation Environmental Science High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Alliance Margaret M. Bloomfield Technology Academy High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Alliance Patti And Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Alliance Ted K. Tajima High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Animo Jackie Robinson High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Birmingham Community Charter High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Camino Nuevo High #2
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Central City Value
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academies-Arts/Theatre/Entertain Mag
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Eagle Rock High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Early College Academy-LA Trade Tech College
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	East Los Angeles Renaissance Academy at Esteban E. Torres High No. 2
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Ednovate - Brio College Prep
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Ednovate - East College Prep
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Ednovate - Esperanza College Prep
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Equitas Academy #2
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Equitas Academy 4
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Gaspar De Portola Charter Middle
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Girls Academic Leadership Academy, Dr. Michelle King School for Sci, Tech, Eng and Math
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Grover Cleveland Charter High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Hilda L. Solis Learning Academy School of Technology, Business and Education
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	ICEF Vista Middle Academy
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	King/Drew Medical Magnet High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Math and Science College Preparatory
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Math, Science, & Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Northridge Academy High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Orthopaedic Hospital
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Phineas Banning Senior High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Port of Los Angeles High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Public Service Community at Diego Rivera Learning Complex
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	PUC Lakeview Charter Academy
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	PUC Triumph Charter Academy and PUC Triumph Charter High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Robert Frost Middle
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Sylmar Biotech Health and Engineering Magnet
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Taft Charter High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Verdugo Hills Senior High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Vox Collegiate of Los Angeles
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Walter Reed Middle
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Washington Irving Middle School Math, Music and Engineering Magnet
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	WISH Academy High
Los Angeles	Los Nietos	Los Nietos Middle
Los Angeles	Monrovia Unified	Clifton Middle
Los Angeles	Montebello Unified	Macy Intermediate
Los Angeles	Norwalk-La Mirada Unified	Arlie F. Hutchinson Middle
Los Angeles	Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified	Palos Verdes Intermediate
Los Angeles	Pasadena Unified	Sierra Madre Middle
Los Angeles	Rowland Unified	Giano Intermediate
Los Angeles	Santa Monica-Malibu Unified	John Adams Middle
Los Angeles	South Pasadena Unified	South Pasadena Middle
Los Angeles	Torrance Unified	Casimir Middle
Los Angeles	Torrance Unified	Edward J. Richardson Middle
Los Angeles	Torrance Unified	Jefferson Middle
Los Angeles	Torrance Unified	South High
Los Angeles	Walnut Valley Unified	Chaparral Middle
Los Angeles	West Covina Unified	Hollencrest Middle
Los Angeles	West Covina Unified	Mt. SAC Early College Academy at West Covina
Los Angeles	West Covina Unified	Walnut Grove Intermediate
Los Angeles	Whittier City Elementary	Katherine Edwards Middle School STEAM & Dual Immersion Academy
Los Angeles	William S. Hart Union High	Rancho Pico Junior High
Los Angeles	William S. Hart Union High	Rio Norte Junior High
Los Angeles	Wiseburn Unified	Da Vinci Science
Madera	Madera Unified	Sherman Thomas STEM Academy
Marin	Kentfield Elementary	Adaline E. Kent Middle
Marin	Mill Valley Elementary	Mill Valley Middle
Marin	Reed Union Elementary	Del Mar Middle
Merced	Atwater Elementary	Bellevue Senior Elementary
Monterey	Pacific Grove Unified	Pacific Grove Middle
Napa	Napa Valley Unified	New Technology High
Napa	Napa Valley Unified	Vintage High
Nevada	Nevada Joint Union High	William & Marian Ghidotti High
Orange	Anaheim Union High	Cypress High
Orange	Anaheim Union High	John F. Kennedy High
Orange	Anaheim Union High	Lexington Junior High
Orange	Anaheim Union High	Magnolia High
Orange	Anaheim Union High	Oxford Academy
Orange	Buena Park Elementary	Buena Park Middle
Orange	Capistrano Unified	Bernice Ayer Middle
Orange	Capistrano Unified	Carl Hankey Middle
Orange	Capistrano Unified	Esencia Middle
Orange	Capistrano Unified	Las Flores Middle
Orange	Capistrano Unified	Marco Forster Middle
Orange	Capistrano Unified	Niguel Hills Middle
Orange	Fountain Valley Elementary	Masuda (Kazuo) Middle
Orange	Fullerton Joint Union High	Fullerton Union High
Orange	Fullerton Joint Union High	Sonora High
Orange	Garden Grove Unified	Hilton D. Bell Intermediate
Orange	Garden Grove Unified	Sarah McGarvin Intermediate
Orange	Huntington Beach City Elementary	Ethel Dwyer Middle
Orange	Irvine Unified	Jeffrey Trail Middle
Orange	Irvine Unified	Northwood High
Orange	Irvine Unified	South Lake Middle
Orange	Irvine Unified	Venado Middle
Orange	Los Alamitos Unified	Oak Middle
Orange	Los Alamitos Unified	Sharon Christa McAuliffe Middle
Orange	Lowell Joint	Rancho-Starbuck Intermediate
Orange	Newport-Mesa Unified	Corona del Mar High
Orange	Newport-Mesa Unified	Estancia High
Orange	Orange Unified	Canyon High
Orange	Orange Unified	El Rancho Charter
Orange	Orange Unified	Santiago Middle
Orange	Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified	Kraemer Middle
Orange	Saddleback Valley Unified	La Paz Intermediate
Orange	Saddleback Valley Unified	Mission Viejo High
Orange	Saddleback Valley Unified	Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate
Orange	Tustin Unified	Legacy Magnet Academy
Orange	Tustin Unified	Pioneer Middle
Orange	Tustin Unified	Tustin High
Orange	Westminster	Helen Stacey Middle
Placer	Roseville City Elementary	Barbara Chilton Middle
Placer	Western Placer Unified	Twelve Bridges Middle
Riverside	Corona-Norco Unified	John F. Kennedy High
Riverside	Hemet Unified	Western Center Academy
Riverside	Moreno Valley Unified	Moreno Valley High
Riverside	Murrieta Valley Unified	Dorothy McElhinney Middle
Riverside	Murrieta Valley Unified	Murrieta Mesa High
Riverside	Murrieta Valley Unified	Vista Murrieta High
Riverside	Palm Springs Unified	Cathedral City High
Riverside	Riverside Unified	Amelia Earhart Middle
Riverside	Riverside Unified	Martin Luther King Jr. High
Riverside	Temecula Valley Unified	Temecula Middle
Sacramento	Elk Grove Unified	Harriet G. Eddy Middle
Sacramento	Folsom-Cordova Unified	Folsom High
Sacramento	Folsom-Cordova Unified	Folsom Middle
Sacramento	Folsom-Cordova Unified	Sutter Middle
Sacramento	Folsom-Cordova Unified	Vista del Lago High
Sacramento	Galt Joint Union High	Liberty Ranch High
Sacramento	Sacramento City Unified	Miwok Middle
Sacramento	Sacramento City Unified	West Campus
San Benito	Hollister	Accelerated Achievement Academy
San Bernardino	Adelanto Elementary	Melva Davis Academy of Excellence
San Bernardino	Alta Loma Elementary	Alta Loma Junior High
San Bernardino	Chaffey Joint Union High	Alta Loma High
San Bernardino	Chaffey Joint Union High	Etiwanda High
San Bernardino	Chino Valley Unified	Woodcrest Junior High
San Bernardino	Colton Joint Unified	Grand Terrace High School at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex
San Bernardino	Etiwanda Elementary	Day Creek Intermediate
San Bernardino	Hesperia Unified	Hesperia High
San Bernardino	Hesperia Unified	Oak Hills High
San Bernardino	Victor Valley Union High	University Preparatory
San Diego	Carlsbad Unified	Aviara Oaks Middle
San Diego	La Mesa-Spring Valley	Spring Valley Academy
San Diego	Oceanside Unified	El Camino High
San Diego	Poway Unified	Mesa Verde Middle
San Diego	Poway Unified	Oak Valley Middle
San Diego	San Diego Unified	Challenger Middle
San Diego	San Diego Unified	De Portola Middle
San Diego	San Diego Unified	High Tech High
San Diego	San Diego Unified	Kearny College Connections
San Diego	San Diego Unified	Kearny Eng Innov & Design
San Diego	San Diego Unified	Kearny School of Biomedical Science and Technology
San Diego	San Diego Unified	KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy
San Diego	San Diego Unified	Magnolia Science Academy San Diego
San Diego	San Diego Unified	Marston Middle
San Diego	San Diego Unified	Muirlands Middle
San Diego	San Diego Unified	School for Entrepreneurship and Technology
San Diego	San Diego Unified	Standley Middle
San Diego	San Diego Unified	Taft Middle
San Diego	San Dieguito Union High	Canyon Crest Academy
San Diego	San Dieguito Union High	Pacific Trails Middle
San Diego	SBC - High Tech High	High Tech Middle North County
San Diego	Vista Unified	Vista Magnet Middle School of Technology, Science, and Math
San Francisco	San Francisco Unified	Gateway High
San Joaquin	Jefferson Elementary	Jefferson
San Joaquin	Manteca Unified	Manteca High
San Joaquin	Stockton Unified	Health Careers Academy
San Joaquin	Stockton Unified	Stockton Early College Academy
San Luis Obispo	Lucia Mar Unified	Arroyo Grande High
San Luis Obispo	Lucia Mar Unified	Paulding Middle
San Luis Obispo	San Luis Coastal Unified	Laguna Middle
San Mateo	Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary	Ralston Intermediate
San Mateo	Burlingame Elementary	Burlingame Intermediate
San Mateo	Menlo Park City Elementary	Hillview Middle
San Mateo	Portola Valley Elementary	Corte Madera
San Mateo	San Carlos Elementary	Central Middle
Santa Clara	Berryessa Union Elementary	Morrill Middle
Santa Clara	Campbell Union High	Leigh High
Santa Clara	Cupertino Union	Joaquin Miller Middle
Santa Clara	Cupertino Union	John F. Kennedy Middle
Santa Clara	Cupertino Union	Warren E. Hyde Middle
Santa Clara	East Side Union High	Luis Valdez Leadership Academy
Santa Clara	Franklin-McKinley Elementary	KIPP Heritage Academy
Santa Clara	Fremont Union High	Lynbrook High
Santa Clara	Gilroy Unified	Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy
Santa Clara	Los Altos Elementary	Ardis G. Egan Junior High
Santa Clara	Los Altos Elementary	Georgina P. Blach Junior High
Santa Clara	Milpitas Unified	Thomas Russell Middle
Santa Clara	Santa Clara Unified	Marian A. Peterson Middle
Santa Clara	Saratoga Union Elementary	Redwood Middle
Santa Clara	Union Elementary	Dartmouth Middle
Santa Clara	Union Elementary	Union Middle
Santa Cruz	Live Oak Elementary	Shoreline Middle
Santa Cruz	Scotts Valley Unified	Scotts Valley Middle
Shasta	Gateway Unified	Central Valley High
Shasta	Shasta Union High	Enterprise High
Shasta	Shasta Union High	University Preparatory
Sonoma	Healdsburg Unified	Healdsburg Junior High
Sonoma	Sebastopol Union Elementary	Brook Haven Middle
Sonoma	Twin Hills Union Elementary	Twin Hills Charter Middle
Stanislaus	Ceres Unified	Ceres High
Stanislaus	Hughson Unified	Emilie J. Ross Middle
Stanislaus	Modesto City High	Joseph A. Gregori High
Sutter	Live Oak Unified	Live Oak Middle
Tehama	Evergreen Union	Evergreen Middle
Tulare	Porterville Unified	Harmony Magnet Academy
Tulare	Porterville Unified	Monache High
Tulare	Porterville Unified	Pioneer Middle
Tulare	Terra Bella Union Elementary	Carl Smith Middle
Ventura	Fillmore Unified	Fillmore Senior High
Yuba	Marysville Joint Unified	Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts

# # # #

Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

Last Reviewed: Monday, March 18, 2024

Trending in News Releases

Year 2024
2024 CA Green Ribbon Schools Award Honorees
2024 California Distinguished Schools Announced (this page)
SPI Announces 2024 California Teachers of the Year
Former State Superintendent Delaine Eastin Passes

Recently Posted in News Releases

2024 CA Green Ribbon Schools Award Honorees (added 26-Apr-2024)
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announces 2024 California Green Ribbon Schools Award honorees.
Pushing Results-Proven Training in Literacy, Math (added 25-Apr-2024)
State Superintendent Thurmond makes historic push for results-proven training in literacy, math as sponsor of SB 1115.
Former State Superintendent Delaine Eastin Passes (added 24-Apr-2024)
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond issues statement on the passing of former State Superintendent Delaine Eastin.
SPI Hosts California Apprenticeship Summit (added 18-Apr-2024)
State Superintendent Thurmond hosts California Apprenticeship Summit to connect California’s youth to high-wage opportunities.
SPI Supports an Office of Civil Rights at CDE (added 09-Apr-2024)
State Superintendent Thurmond announces support for establishing an Office of Civil Rights at California Department of Education.

SPI Announces 2024 California Purple Star Schools (added 03-Apr-2024)
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announces the 2024 California Purple Star Schools.
SPI Tony Thurmond Honored with Cesar Chavez Award (added 28-Mar-2024)
State Superintendent Thurmond honored with Cesar Chavez Award for empowering farm working families and underserved communities.
Personal Finance Education Summit Recap (added 26-Mar-2024)
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announces support for personal finance graduation requirement and recruitment of finance education task force during summit.
SPI Names Inaugural Model Community Day Schools (added 18-Mar-2024)
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announces inaugural Model Community Day Schools.
Response to State of the Union Address (added 08-Mar-2024)
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Releases Statement in Response to State of the Union Address