This week on Tuesday, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that 336 elementary schools in California have been named as “California Distinguished Schools” for the year 2025. In Orange County alone, there are 44 schools, accounting for 13% of the total. This prestigious title will be held for a two-year period.
The “California Distinguished Schools” award is granted by the California Department of Education to outstanding public schools in the state. Since 1985, schools are evaluated on a biennial basis in the categories of elementary, middle, and high schools. The California Distinguished Schools Program aims to recognize schools that excel in “Closing the Achievement Gap” and “Exceptional Student Performance”.
Thurmond expressed gratitude to the 336 elementary schools for their efforts in providing exemplary public education to all their students, noting that outstanding elementary schools play a crucial role in the lives of young individuals.
The award is based on data from the 2024 academic year, focusing on outstanding academic achievement and growth, as well as ensuring a positive school climate. It is one of the ways California recognizes outstanding schools, districts, teachers, and staff who support student innovation, talent, and success.
To receive recognition for “Closing the Achievement Gap,” schools must enroll students where 40% or more come from low-income families, show extraordinary progress in English or math learning, and narrow the achievement gap. All students must demonstrate significant improvements in English, math, attendance, and dropout rates compared to previous years. Schools must also ensure that 95% of students participate in the statewide assessments for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.
For recognition in “Exceptional Student Performance,” all students at the school must achieve the highest levels in English and math, with no red or orange indicators on the California School Dashboard. Similarly, the school must ensure that 95% of students participate in the statewide assessments.
According to a press release from the Orange County Department of Education, the “California Distinguished Schools” award is the highest honor for public schools in California. Among the 44 awarded elementary schools in Orange County, 10 are from the Garden Grove Unified School District, the 14th largest district in California with 66 public schools, including 44 elementary schools.
Irvine, a city with a considerable Chinese population, has 5 awarded elementary schools, including Irvine International Academy offering a Chinese-English bilingual program. The Tustin Unified School District, which also has many Chinese residents, has 6 schools recognized.
Orange County boasts 44 elementary schools receiving state-level recognition, which Education Director Stefan Bean describes as “a remarkable achievement” that reflects the strong partnerships between educators, staff, students, and families in creating supportive campuses and high-performing school communities.
In Southern California, Los Angeles County has 119 awarded schools, San Bernardino County has 22, San Diego has 12, and Riverside County has 10.
The award ceremony for the “California Distinguished Schools” will take place on May 30th in Anaheim, Orange County. The event will also recognize the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools, 2024 Civic Learning Award Schools, and the 2025 Green Ribbon Schools Green Achievers.