News Release
News Release
February 29, 2024
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