408 California schools honored
California named 408 middle and high schools as 2026 Distinguished Schools for achievement and equity—calls out clear routines, hands-on learning, and transition practices as part of successful sites. The recognition provides a statewide benchmark for consistent instructional systems and schoolwide routines. (laparent.com)
The CDE based 2026 selections on data pulled from the 2025 California School Dashboard, using indicators such as statewide assessment results, graduation rates, and college- and career-readiness measures. (cde.ca.gov) Campuses had to meet accountability thresholds that include at least 95% participation in statewide assessments, and schools with very high suspension or chronic absenteeism indicators were excluded from recognition. (cde.ca.gov) A new category, Beacons of Opportunity, was added for 2026 to honor rural and Title I campuses that demonstrate multiple high-performance outcomes; for years when secondary schools are eligible, the program explicitly weighs graduation and college/career readiness. (cde.ca.gov) Honorees will be recognized at a statewide awards ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on April 24, 2026, alongside other statewide recognitions including California Blue Ribbon and Green Achievers awardees. (cde.ca.gov) Los Angeles County accounted for the largest share of honorees with 152 middle and high schools named to the 2026 Distinguished Schools list. (lacoe.edu) Orange County reported 42 middle/high awardees, San Diego County listed 31 campuses among the honorees, and Santa Barbara County had four schools recognized in 2026. (newsroom.ocde.us)
