Quick look: South Junior High School in Anaheim has received the 2026 Civic Learning Award of Excellence, the state’s highest honor for civic education. The campus is one of three schools statewide recognized at the top level.
An Anaheim campus has earned the state’s highest honor for civic education, continuing a pattern of recognition for Orange County schools.
South Junior High School in the Anaheim Union High School District received the 2026 Civic Learning Award of Excellence, one of three schools statewide to earn the top distinction.
“These schools show what’s possible when school administrators, teachers and students work together to make civic engagement a core part of the educational experience,” California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero said in a news release announcing the awards on May 1.
The Civic Learning Award of Excellence recognizes schools with exceptional programs that prepare students to engage meaningfully in their communities and develop lifelong civic skills. Three campuses statewide received this year’s top honor:
- Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary School, Natomas Unified School District
- South Junior High School, Anaheim Union High School District
- Norwalk High School, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District
Presented annually by the chief justice and the state superintendent of public instruction, the Civic Learning Awards recognize K–12 schools that demonstrate a commitment to civic learning through classroom instruction, student-led projects, service learning and opportunities for informed civic action.
Launched in 2013 as part of the Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative, the program highlights schools that integrate civic engagement into schoolwide practices. This year, 112 schools submitted applications, including new efforts to showcase programs that can be replicated at other campuses.
Additional schools were recognized across California with Awards of Merit:
- Tarpey Elementary School, Clovis Unified School District
- Wangenheim Middle School, San Diego Unified School District
- Yerba Buena High School, East Side Union High School District
The follow schools received Awards of Distinction
- Wittmann Elementary School, ABC Unified School District
- Rancho Viejo Middle School, Hemet Unified School District
- Pacific High School, San Bernardino City Unified School District
Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep’s middle and high school program also received an emeritus award in recognition of its continued excellence in civic engagement.
South Junior High’s recognition builds on a history of Civic Learning Award honorees in the Anaheim Union High School District, which has consistently been recognized for its efforts to promote civic education and student voice.
Judges from California courts will present the awards in person this September as part of Constitution Month. Chief Justice Guerrero is expected to visit campuses receiving the Award of Excellence.
More information about the Civic Learning Awards is available at the Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative website.