The U.S. Department of Education has awarded two Orange County campuses the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools honor, considered the nation’s top accolade for individual schools based on academic achievement.
The recipients are South Lake Middle School in the Irvine Unified School District and Mission Viejo Christian School, which is a private campus in Mission Viejo.
The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award was given to 356 public and private elementary, middle and high schools this year, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced Monday.
“It’s an honor to recognize our exceptional Blue Ribbon Schools, where academic excellence and support for every student truly shine,” Thurmond said in a news release. “Their commitment to creating an inclusive and outstanding learning environment embodies our mission for education here in California. Their dedication is an inspiration to us all, and we proudly celebrate this remarkable achievement.”
This prestigious designation spotlights public and private schools for overall academic performance or their progress in closing achievement gaps. California saw a total of 33 schools earn this honor. Last year, Orange County had six schools represented on the National Blue Ribbon list.
Now in its 41st year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program has bestowed recognition on approximately 10,000 awards to nearly 9,800 schools since its inception.
Here is the complete list of California’s National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024:
- Alameda Science and Technology Institute, Alameda Unified School District, Alameda
- Cornell Elementary School, Albany City Unified School District, Albany
- John Muir Elementary School, Berkeley Unified School District, Berkeley
- Creekside Middle School, Castro Valley Unified School District, Castro Valley
- Warm Springs Elementary School, Fremont Unified School District, Fremont
- Southgate Elementary School, Hayward Unified School District, Hayward
- Madison Elementary School, San Leandro Unified School District, San Leandro
- Miramonte High School, Acalanes Union High School District, Orinda
- Lake Forest Elementary School, Rescue Union Elementary School District, El Dorado Hills
- Design Science Middle College High School, Fresno Unified School District, Fresno
- Monroe Elementary School, Hanford Elementary School District, Hanford
- California Academy of Mathematics and Science, Long Beach Unified School District, Carson
- Gretchen Whitney High School, ABC Unified School District, Cerritos
- Students On Academic Rise (SOAR) High School, Antelope Valley Union High School District, Lancaster
- Renaissance Arts Academy, Los Angeles
- Palos Verdes High School, Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, Palos Verdes Estates
- San Marino High School, San Marino Unified School District, San Marino
- Mt. SAC Early College Academy at West Covina, West Covina Unified School District, West Covina
- Wallen L. Andrews School, Whittier City School District, Whittier
- Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy, Los Angeles Unified School District, Wilmington
- Franklin Elementary School, Merced City School District, Merced
- South Lake Middle School, Irvine Unified School District, Irvine
- Mission Viejo Christian School, Mission Viejo
- William Kaseberg Elementary School, Roseville City Elementary School District, Roseville
- Western Center Academy, Hemet Unified School District, Hemet
- West Campus High School, Sacramento City Unified, Sacramento
- Sessions Elementary School, San Diego Unified School District, San Diego
- Mountain House High School, Lammersville Joint Unified School District, San Joaquin
- Los Ranchos Elementary School, San Luis Coastal Unified School District, San Luis Obispo
- Joaquin Miller Middle School, Cupertino Union School District School District, San Jose
- Leigh High School, Campbell Union High School District, San Jose
- Lynbrook High School, Fremont Union High School District, San Jose
- Twin Rivers Charter School, Yuba City
For more information about California’s National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools web page.