Civic Learning Award For CA Public Schools

2026 Application

Applications and additional information for the 2026 Civic Learning Awards are available on the Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative Civic Learning Award web page. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on April 13, 2026.

This year’s award focuses on schools that are making democracy a cornerstone of student development, highlighting replicable programs and systemic student leadership. The Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative will select model programs for a statewide database of effective civic learning activities, clubs, and events.

About the Civic Learning Awards

The Civic Learning Awards program is co-sponsored by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, and California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. The awards recognize and celebrate public kindergarten through grade twelve schools that demonstrate a commitment to providing rich civic learning opportunities for students. The Civic Learning Awards were first presented in 2012 and have recognized more than 350 public schools of all grade levels across California.

The Civic Learning Award program has four levels: Awards of Excellence, Distinction, Merit, and Honorable Mentions. Honorees are selected by a panel of experts based on the depth and breadth of their civic learning classes, clubs, and programs, including the Education Commission of the States' Six Proven Practices for Effective Civic Learning (PDF).

Schools receiving the highest honor, the Award of Excellence, traditionally receive a visit by the Chief Justice in the fall and are invited to the California Department of Education (CDE) California School Recognition Program in the spring.

The CDE hopes that you will take this opportunity to recognize the students and civic educators at your school and share this information with them. Additional information is available from the Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative web page.