The 2021 California Distinguished Schools Award Program has recognized nine San Diego County schools, including three in North County districts, for their outstanding education programs and practices.
California Distinguished Schools are honored for achieving exceptional student performance and for their work in closing the achievement gap.
“These schools are doing a tremendous job of providing children with the supports and opportunities they need and deserve to achieve their fullest academic and social potential,” said San Diego County Superintendent of Schools Paul Gothold in a statement. “We can all learn from the work they’re doing to help their students thrive.”
The Distinguished Schools program recognizes schools based on performance and progress on the California School Dashboard. Indicators include test scores, suspension rates, and conditions and climate. Elementary schools and middle and high schools are recognized in alternate years; awardees hold their titles for two years. Middle and high schools are being honored this year.
The honorees and their school districts are:
- Sullivan Middle School, Bonsall Unified School District;
- Black Mountain Middle School, Poway Unified School District;
- Literacy First Charter School (El Cajon), San Diego County Office of Education;
- Challenger Middle School, Lewis Middle School, Magnolia Science Academy San Diego, Marshall Middle School, and Preuss School UCSD, San Diego Unified District;
- Diegueño Middle School, San Dieguito Union High School District.
“These schools are great examples of California’s commitment to provide outstanding public education for all students, and their data-driven efforts have helped ensure that their students leave with the tools and skills they need to be successful after graduation,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond in a statement. “Our thanks go to the entire communities surrounding these schools, including the teachers, administrators, and classified employees as well as the students and their families who, through teamwork, all accomplished this impressive achievement together.”
More than 100 California schools are being honored through the 2021 California Distinguished Schools Program. The program is sponsored by the California Department of Education and presented by California Casualty. To see the full list, visit https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/index.asp.