Thirty-eight elementary schools in Orange County have been recognized by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond as 2023 California Distinguished Schools.
After the COVID-19 pandemic placed the awards on pause last year, the California Distinguished Schools program returned to honor the hard work, resilience and dedication of 356 schools throughout the state. Selected schools were praised for their ability to provide a quality education to students while navigating the effects of the pandemic.
The California Department of Education selects eligible schools by measuring their performance on indicators identified on the statewide accountability system, known as the California School Dashboard. The data analyzed included test scores, chronic absenteeism, suspension rates and school environment.
The Distinguished Schools program, which was established in 1985, selects schools for their work in two categories — their ability to close the achievement gap and their achievement of exceptional student performance.
“It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 356 elementary schools for providing outstanding public education and opportunities to students,” Thurmond said in a press release. “Their innovation and hard work have helped to ensure their students can heal, recover, and thrive—even in the toughest times.”
“California Distinguished Schools represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning, and collaboration, but also highly successful, data-driven school efforts ranging from professional development for educators to mental health and social-emotional wellness strategies to address the needs of students and families.”
Elementary schools and middle and high schools are recognized in alternating years. Each awardee will hold their title for two years.
The Orange County winners are listed below:
- Olinda Elementary School, Brea-Olinda Unified School District
- Brea Online Academy, Brea-Olinda Unified School District
- Brea Country Hills Elementary School, Brea-Olinda Unified School District
- Oxford Preparatory Academy, Capistrano Unified School District
- Los Coyotes Elementary School, Centralia School District
- Margaret Landell Elementary School, Cypress School District
- Plavan Elementary School, Fountain Valley School District
- Laguna Road Elementary School, Fullerton School District
- Acacia Elementary School, Fullerton School District
- Hermosa Drive Elementary School, Fullerton School District
- Robert C. Fisler Elementary School, Fullerton School District
- Beechwood School, Fullerton School District
- Sunset Lane Elementary School, Fullerton School District
- A. G. Cook Elementary School, Garden Grove Unified School District
- Ethan B. Allen Elementary School, Garden Grove Unified School District
- S. A. Moffett Elementary School, Huntington Beach City School District
- Stonegate Elementary School, Irvine Unified School District
- Santiago Hills Elementary School, Irvine Unified School District
- IUSD Virtual Academy, Irvine Unified School District
- San Joaquin High School, Irvine Unified School District
- Vista Verde School, Irvine Unified School District
- Brywood Elementary School, Irvine Unified School District
- Jack L. Weaver Elementary School, Los Alamitos Unified School District
- Rossmoor Elementary School, Los Alamitos Unified School District
- Francis Hopkinson Elementary School, Los Alamitos Unified School District
- Oxford Preparatory Academy – Saddleback Valley, a charter school in Orange County
- Orange County Classical Academy, a charter school in Orange County
- Bryant Ranch School, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
- Brookhaven Elementary School, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
- Lakeview Elementary School, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
- Linda Vista Elementary School, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
- Heritage Elementary School, Tustin Unified School District
- Myford Elementary School, Tustin Unified School District
- Tustin Memorial Academy, Tustin Unified School District
- Hicks Canyon Elementary School, Tustin Unified School District
- Red Hill Elementary School, Tustin Unified School District
- Orchard Hills School, Tustin Unified School District
- Schroeder Elementary School, Westminster School District