State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Awards

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that 19 schools were selected for the California Exemplary Arts Education Award. These schools demonstrated an exemplary commitment to providing adequate resources and funding for arts education. This year’s awardees provided high-quality arts curriculum and instruction and assessment; high-quality professional learning for staff who are responsible for providing arts learning; and access to high-quality, culturally responsive arts instruction for all students, including English learners, special education students, and other special populations.

“It is my honor to congratulate these 19 schools for the powerful role they play in supporting arts programs across our state,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “These dynamic learning environments are where students have the opportunity to explore their creativity and strengthen their voices. As March is Arts Education Month in California, it’s important to note that the arts are essential to a well-rounded education. As someone who benefited from a high-quality public education that included the arts, I commend our arts educators for creating these exemplary programs that build students’ empathy, confidence, and self-expression.”

These schools will be celebrated at the California School Recognition Program Ceremony in Anaheim in April 2026. Eligible schools show that they offer instruction in a minimum of three arts disciplines (dance, media arts, music, theatre, visual arts) during the regular school day and show that special populations have equal opportunities to access these programs.

The California Exemplary Arts Education Awardees represent a broad cross-section of educational institutions from elementary, middle, and high schools. These schools serve diverse demographic populations of varying sizes. Some schools serve primarily Title I students from lower socioeconomic circumstances while others serve suburban populations with strong district and community financial support. Read more on the California Department of Education California Exemplary Arts Education Award web page.

2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Awards

• Claremont High School, Claremont Unified School District
• Delano High School, Delano Joint Union High School District
• Gilroy High School, Gilroy Unified School District
• Crescenta Valley High School, Glendale Unified School District
• Mark Keppel Elementary School, Glendale Unified School District
• Prairie Vista Middle School, Hawthorne School District
• Hesperia High School, Hesperia Unified School District
• Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF) View Park Preparatory High School, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Maywood Center for Enriched Studies, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Mira Costa High School, Manhattan Beach Unified School District
• Palm Middle School, Moreno Valley Unified School District
• Echo Valley Elementary School, North Monterey County Unified School District
• Novato High School, Novato Unified School District
• Orange County School of the Arts, Orange County Board of Education
• C. K. McClatchy High School, Sacramento City Unified School District
• Trabuco Hills High School, Saddleback Valley Unified School District
• Gabrielino High School, San Gabriel Unified School District
• Jefferson Middle School, San Gabriel Unified School District
• San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, San Diego Unified School District

# # # #

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