State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced that 336 elementary schools have been selected for the prestigious 2025 California Distinguished Schools Program. Ten schools in the Santa Clarita Valley were chosen for the honor.
The California Distinguished Schools Program is a school recognition program that recognizes two categories of exceptional schools: those Closing the Achievement Gap and those demonstrating Exceptional Student Performance.
Three SCV school districts have schools that earned the 2025 California Distinguished Schools honor including Newhall School District, Saugus Union School District and Sulphur Springs Union School District.
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.
“It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 336 elementary schools for their efforts to provide exemplary public education to all students. Excellent elementary schools play a critical role in the life outcomes of our young people,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “This year’s California Distinguished Schools celebration provides us with an opportunity to recognize the hard work of our elementary educators and school staff who help our students discover passions and experiences that will propel them.”
The exceptional elementary 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 uses multiple measures to identify eligible schools based on their performance on the state indicators as specified on the California School Dashboard.
Specifically, schools were selected by analyzing data reported through the 2024 Dashboard, with a focus on demonstrating excellence and growth in academic achievement and ensuring a positive school climate.
Schools recognized for Closing the Achievement Gap have demonstrated exemplary growth for student groups that have experienced persistent achievement gaps and have also demonstrated strong overall outcomes for all students.
To qualify for a Closing the Achievement Gap recognition, schools must enroll at least 40 percent of students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and have demonstrated exceptional growth in English language arts (ELA) or math to close persistent achievement gaps. The school must have also achieved a “blue” or “green” status on the Dashboard for all students’ ELA achievement, math achievement, chronic absenteeism, and suspension indicators, or have received a “yellow” indicator that demonstrates a significant increase from prior years’ achievement on those indicators. In order to certify the legitimacy of these results, schools must have ensured that 95 percent of students participated in statewide assessments for the 2022–23 and 2023–24 school years.
Schools recognized for Exceptional Student Performance are among the highest in overall student achievement, while also showing strong indicators of student engagement and positive school climate.
To qualify for an Exceptional Student Performance recognition, schools must have achieved among the highest levels of ELA and math achievement for all students, and must have also achieved a “blue” or “green” status on the Dashboard for one or more of the following indicators: all students’ ELA achievement, math achievement, suspension indicator, or chronic absenteeism indicator. Schools cannot have received a “red” or “orange” status on any Dashboard indicator. In order to certify the legitimacy of these results, schools must have ensured that 95 percent of students participated in statewide assessments for the 2022–23 and 2023–24 school years.
The 2025 California Distinguished Schools, along with 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools, 2024 Civic Learning Award Schools, and 2025 Green Ribbon Schools Green Achievers will be recognized at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on May 30, 2025.
The California Distinguished Schools program annually recognizes schools for their excellent work in one of two categories: closing the achievement gap and achieving exceptional student performance. 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.
2025 California Distinguished Schools
Newhall School District, Old Orchard Elementary
Newhall School District, Meadows Elementary
Newhall School District, Pico Canyon Elementary
Saugus Union School District, Cedarcreek Elementary
Saugus Union School District, Rosedell Elementary
Saugus Union School District, Plum Canyon Elementary
Saugus Union School District, Mountainview Elementary
Saugus Union School District, West Creek Academy
Saugus Union School District, North Park Elementary
Sulphur Springs Union School District, Leona H. Cox Community Elementary
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.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond on Tuesday announced that Valencia High School and Rancho Pico Junior High School are being honored under the 2019 Distinguished Schools Program.
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