This web page contains information about California Distinguished Schools (DS) Awardees.
To see a list of the 2026 California Distinguished Schools, please see News Release #26-12.
Previous Awardees
1986-2025 California Distinguished Schools Data File (XLSX)
1986–2023 California Distinguished Schools Data File(XLSX)
Note: California Distinguished Schools were not recognized in 2022, 2015–17, and 1991.
Other Programs
In 2022 California recognized schools that demonstrated innovation and exceptional work with the California Pivotal Practice Program.
From 2015–17 California recognized schools that demonstrated exemplary achievements with the California Gold Ribbon Schools Program.
Additional information
- February 29, 2024, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2024 California Distinguished Schools News Release #24-09.
- January 6, 2023, State Superintendent Thurmond Announces 2023 California Distinguished Schools News Release #23-01.
- April 27, 2021, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces Additional 2021 California Distinguished Schools New Release #21-35.
- March 18, 2021, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2021 California Distinguished Schools News Release #21-20.
- December 18, 2019, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2020 California Distinguished Schools News Release #19-85.
- October 31, 2019, letter from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond regarding the 2020 California Distinguished Schools Award Program.
- February 25, 2019, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2019 California Distinguished Schools and Exemplary Districts News Release #19-18.
- January 24, 2019, letter from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond regarding 2019 California Distinguished Schools and Exemplary Districts Award Programs.
Note: The California Department of Education (CDE) California School Recognition Program (CSRP) uses the CDE California School Directory for county, district, and school names on awardee lists and award recognitions. All county, district, and school names are shown at the time of the award.