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California Department of Education
News Release
California Department of Education
News Release
Release: #24-09
February 29, 2024
Contact: Communications
E-mail: communications@cde.ca.gov
Phone: 916-319-0818

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
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