California Distinguished Schools Program

Program Information

A component of the California Department of Education (CDE) California School Recognition Program (CSRP), the California Distinguished Schools Program was established by the CDE in 1985 and recognizes schools that demonstrate exemplary achievements. The California Distinguished Schools Program recognizes elementary and middle and high schools in alternate years. Schools recognized as a California Distinguished Schools hold the title for two years.

In 2026 California is recognizing outstanding middle and high schools.

Eligibility Criteria

California uses a multiple measures accountability system to identify eligible schools based on their performance and progress on the state indicators as specified on the California School Dashboard. Information regarding the Dashboard is provided on the CDE California School Dashboard and System of Support web page.

The 2026 California Distinguished Schools recognition program aims to recognize exemplary instructional programs throughout California public schools, the largest public school system in the United States.

The 2026 award categories build on long-standing recognition of the following two categories:

• Exemplary High Achievers: Schools that are among the highest in the state in academic achievement for all students, which have also ensured that historically underserved student groups are maintaining or increasing academic progress.
• Achievement Gap Closers: Schools that are accelerating academic progress for two or more groups that have been historically underserved, while also demonstrating achievement for all students that is above the state median and maintaining or increasing academic performance for all students.

Beginning in 2026, California Distinguished Schools now includes a third category of recognition:

• Beacons of Opportunity: Schools serving rural or Title I school communities that distinguish themselves through multiple student outcomes at very high performance levels.

For years in which middle schools and high schools are eligible, the outcomes considered include graduation rates as well as rates of college and career readiness.

Eligibility for all categories is determined by metrics generated through the California statewide accountability system for public schools, the California School Dashboard. The 2026 California Distinguished Schools were determined using data from the 2025 California School Dashboard.

In keeping with statewide standards for accountability, schools must have at least 95 percent participation in statewide assessments to qualify for Distinguished School recognition. Schools may not earn recognition as a California Distinguished School if they have concerning school climate indicators, such as very high suspension or chronic absenteeism.

Schools need not apply for California Distinguished Schools, as every school’s data is automatically considered in alternating years. To further clarify, elementary schools and kindergarten through eighth-grade schools were considered in 2025 and will next be considered in 2027. Middle schools and high schools are being considered in 2026 and will next be considered in 2028. Schools motivated to achieve this statewide distinction are encouraged to set annual schoolwide goals aligned to their progress and areas of growth on the Dashboard.

Information regarding the 2025 Dashboard is provided on the CDE California School Dashboard and System of Support web page.

In addition to the CDE News Release and website postings, the CDE will send an email notification to award-winning schools.

Note: The CSRP uses the CDE California School Directory (CDS) for county, district, and school information for awardee lists and for notifications of award recognitions. You are encouraged to review your entity’s information and submit all updates/corrections through your local educational agency (LEA) CDS coordinator. Updates can be submitted directly to the LEA CDS Coordinator by clicking the Request Data Update(s) link in your CDS Coordinator field on the California School Directory web page for that entity. All county, district, and school names are shown at the time of the award.

Timeline

Sponsors

We are thankful for our California School Recognition Program Sponsors who help to make the California Distinguished Schools Program a success! The CSRP would not be successful without the generous support they provide. We appreciate their willingness to support our efforts to recognize California's exemplary schools, teachers, and classified school employees, for achievement and for advancing excellence in education.

A sponsorship in the CSRP is a commitment to an ongoing partnership with public education by helping ensure that the dream of a world-class public education lives on in California.

News Releases

2026 News Release for California Distinguished Schools
2025 News Release for California Distinguished Schools
2024 News Release for California Distinguished Schools
2023 News Release for California Distinguished Schools

Resources

California School Recognition Program Awards Ceremonies
Information about the California School Recognition Program Awards Ceremonies.

California School Recognition Program County Coordinators
Contact information for California School Recognition Program county office of education coordinators.

California School Recognition Program Merchandise
Information about California School Recognition Program merchandise.

California Distinguished Schools Logo
California Distinguished Schools downloadable logo.

California Distinguished Schools Awardees
California Distinguished Schools Awardees information.

California Exemplary Program Awardees
California Exemplary Program Awardees by year.

California Exemplary Districts Awardees
California Exemplary District Awardees by year.