Quick look: Anaheim High School has earned a Civic Learning Award of Distinction for its campuswide commitment to civic education, while five other Orange County schools received honorable mention for promoting student voice and engagement.
Several Orange County campuses have been honored with 2025 Civic Learning Awards for their efforts to promote civic knowledge, skills and engagement among students.
Presented annually by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, the Civic Learning Award recognizes schools that demonstrate measurable, schoolwide achievements in civics. Now in its 12th year, the program is part of the chief justice’s Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative.
“I find these award applications truly inspiring — each one is deserving of recognition,” Guerrero said in a news release. “They highlight the powerful stories of committed educators who, despite the challenges, are finding creative ways to ensure students can fully engage with and understand civics.”
This year, Anaheim High School in the Anaheim Union High School District received a Civic Learning Award of Distinction, acknowledging the campus for its sustained commitment to civic education. The school has previously earned Awards of Merit in 2016, 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024, and was also named a Distinction recipient in 2022.
“When young people advocate and raise their voices, they have the power to drive meaningful change in their communities,” State Superintendent Thurmond said. “Education is fundamental to achieving our democratic ideals and these schools have played an exceptional role in shaping the leaders of the future.”
Joining Anaheim High, five other Orange County schools earned honorable mention for their efforts to foster civic learning and student voice:
- Buena Terra Elementary School, Centralia Elementary School District
- Lexington Junior High School, Anaheim Union High School District
- Loara High School, Anaheim Union High School District
- Cypress High School, Anaheim Union High School District
- Legacy Magnet Academy, Tustin Unified School District
Additionally, South Junior High School — also in the Anaheim Union High School District — received a Merit Award Emeritus designation after previously earning the Merit Award in 2024.
Schools across California were evaluated by a panel of representatives from the California courts and the state Department of Education. More than 500 campuses have been honored since the program’s launch in 2013, including traditional, charter, magnet and community schools.
For more information about the Civic Learning Awards and related programs, visit the California Department of Education’s webpage.