SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Monday announced that 287 elementary schools, including four from Santa Clarita, are being honored under the Distinguished Schools Program. This program returns after a three-year break, and replaces the California Gold Ribbon Schools Program.

The Santa Clarita schools that were honored include Newhall School District’s Meadows, Pico Canyon and Stevenson Ranch elementary schools and Sulphur Springs Union School District’s Valley View Community Elementary.

The full list of recognized schools can be viewed here.

“These schools implement outstanding educational programs and practices that help California students realize their potential, and put them on the path to achieve their dreams,” Torlakson said. “Every day at these schools, teachers, administrators and classified employees, working with parents, apply their dedication, creativity, and talents toward providing a great education for all their students.”

Sponsored by California Casualty, the 2018 California Distinguished Schools Program recognizes California elementary schools that have made exceptional gains in implementing academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

Schools that applied were eligible based on their performance and progress on the state indicators as described on the California School Dashboard. Indicators include test scores, suspension rates, and English learner progress. Schools were also eligible to apply for a California Exemplary Program Award in Arts Education, and/or Physical Activity and Nutrition Education, which will be announced at a later time. These award winners represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning, and collaborating, but also highly successful school climate efforts, ranging from real time conflict resolution to positive behavior intervention.

In addition, this year California will also recognize exemplary districts that have made a positive impact on student outcomes. These California Exemplary Districts, the Distinguished Schools, National Title I Distinguished Schools, Green Ribbon Schools, Civic Learning Award Schools, and National Blue Ribbon Schools from 2017, will be honored in May during a ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. The following day, educators from these schools will share their expertise and resources during a professional development day. For more information, please visit the California Distinguished Schools Program on the California Department of Education’s website.