The state Department of Education has named 35 Orange County campuses as 2020 California Distinguished Schools, the top honor for public schools based on outstanding education programs and practices. Statewide, 323 schools received the honor.
“These outstanding schools don’t just educate students; they also provide the young people of California the tools they need to be successful after graduation,” state Superintendent Tony Thurmond said in a news release. “Thanks go to all the staff at these schools — teachers, administrators, classified employees — and parents, who are working together to provide high-quality educational experiences for all of their students.”
The Distinguished Schools program recognizes schools based on performance and progress on the state indicators as specified 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, so awardees hold the title for two years.
Every year, two California Distinguished School awardees are also eligible to be recognized as national Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished School awardees. Information about California’s national honorees can be found on the CDE National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program webpage.
California Distinguished School awardees represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning and collaboration, but also highly successful school climate efforts, ranging from real-time conflict resolution to positive behavior intervention, Thurmond said.
These California Distinguished Schools, along with California Exemplary Arts Education Schools, National Blue Ribbon Schools, National Terrel H. Bell Awardees, and National ESEA Distinguished Schools, all will be honored on Feb. 10 during an awards ceremony at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. For more information, please visit the CDE California School Recognition Program webpage.
At Laurel Elementary Magnet School in Brea-Olinda Unified, Principal Mike Trimmell said the recognition served as validation of the hard work and dedication of Laurel’s student body, teachers, staff and community.
“This honor reflects their inspiring team effort and commitment,” he said. “Laurel is certainly distinguished already in the hearts of so many within our community, and this state-level acknowledgment is a testament to the qualities and accomplishments that make Laurel so special.”
Here’s the list of the local honorees:
| School | District |
| Laurel Elementary Magnet School School of Innovation and Career Exploration | Brea-Olinda Unified School District |
| Charles G. Emery Elementary | Buena Park School District |
| Buena Terra Elementary | Centralia Elementary School District |
| George B. Miller Elementary | Centralia Elementary School District |
| Clara J. King Elementary | Cypress School District |
| Margaret Landell Elementary | Cypress School District |
| Steve Luther Elementary | Cypress School District |
| Acacia Elementary | Fullerton School District |
| Laguna Road Elementary | Fullerton School District |
| Robert C. Fisler Elementary | Fullerton School District |
| A. G. Cook Elementary | Garden Grove Unified School District |
| Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary | Garden Grove Unified School District |
| Ernest O. Lawrence Elementary | Garden Grove Unified School District |
| Ethan B. Allen Elementary | Garden Grove Unified School District |
| Excelsior Elementary | Garden Grove Unified School District |
| Genevieve M. Crosby Elementary | Garden Grove Unified School District |
| Morningside Elementary | Garden Grove Unified School District |
| Ocia A. Peters Elementary | Garden Grove Unified School District |
| R. F. Hazard Elementary | Garden Grove Unified School District |
| Ralph E. Hawes Elementary | Huntington Beach City School District |
| Dr. Peter Marshall | Magnolia School District |
| Juliette Low School of the Arts | Magnolia School District |
| Walt Disney | Magnolia School District |
| California Elementary | Newport-Mesa Unified School District |
| Killybrooke Elementary | Newport-Mesa Unified School District |
| Paularino Elementary | Newport-Mesa Unified School District |
| Sonora Elementary | Newport-Mesa Unified School District |
| Circle View Elementary | Ocean View School District |
| Star View Elementary | Ocean View School District |
| Scholarship Prep | Orange County Department of Education |
| Golden Elementary | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District |
| John Muir Fundamental Elementary | Santa Ana Unified School District |
| Cerritos Elementary | Savanna School District |
| Hicks Canyon Elementary | Tustin Unified School District |
| Jessie Hayden Elementary | Westminster School District |