Assessment and Accountability: Pages /ilid/assessment/Pages/Forms/AllItems.aspx RSS feed for the Pages list. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:11:45 GMT Microsoft SharePoint Foundation RSS Generator 60 en-US Assessment and Accountability: Pages /ilid/assessment/_layouts/15/images/siteIcon.png /ilid/assessment/Pages/Forms/AllItems.aspx Distinguished-Schools /ilid/assessment/Pages/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=3 Contact: Sonia Kao
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​â¶Ä‹ In 1985, the California Department of Education (CDE) established the ​â¶Ä‹California Distinguished Schools Program​ as a method for recognizing schools that demonstrate exemplary achievements. The​ program seeks to recognize schools for their excellent work in one of two categories: closing the achievement ​gap and achieving exceptional​ student performance. Elementary schools and middle and high schools are recognized in alternate years; therefore, awardees hold the title for two years. Each year, two of California's Distinguished Schools awardees are eligible to become a National Association of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished Schools Awardee.

Selection Process​ 

To select California Distinguished Schools, the CDE uses multiple measures to identify eligible schools based on their performance on the state indicators as specified on the California School Dashboard. Specifically, schools were selected by analyzing data reported through the 2024 Dashboard, with a focus on demonstrating excellence and growth in academic achievement and ensuring a positive school climate.

Schools recognized for Exceptional Student Performance are among the highest in overall student achievement, while also showing strong indicators of student engagement and positive school climate.

Schools recognized for Closing the Achievement Gap have demonstrated exemplary growth for student groups that have experienced persistent achievement gaps and have also demonstrated strong overall outcomes for all students.

Recipients 

​â¶Ä‹On March 25, 2025, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced the recipients of the 2025 California Distinguish​ed Schools Program. 11​ ·Ç·²×ÊÔ´Íø County elementary schools were recognized, joining 325 elementary schools state-wide. For more information about this recognition and the selection criteria, read the press release from the CDE.​â¶Ä‹

​Congratulations!​â¶Ä‹

2025 ·Ç·²×ÊÔ´Íø County California Distinguished Schools

District

School

Campbell Union

Capri Elementary
Forest Hill Elementary

Cupertino Union

Murdock-Portal Elementary
Chester W. Nimitz Elementary

Los Altos Elementary

Covington Elementary

Los Gatos Union Elementary

Daves Avenue Elementary
Lexington Elementary

San Jose Unified

Los Alamitos Elementary

·Ç·²×ÊÔ´Íø County Office of Education

Rocketship Fuerza Community Prep

·Ç·²×ÊÔ´Íø Unified

Washington Open Elementary

Sunnyvale

Cherry Chase Elementary


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·Ç·²×ÊÔ´Íø County CA Distinguished School Awardees 2021

District

School

Alum Rock Union Elementary School District

KIPP Heartwood Academy 

Berryessa Un​ion

Morrill Middle School

Campbell Union 

Branham High

Cupertino Union

Joaquin Miller Middle

Cupertino Union

Sam H. Lawson Middle

East Side Union High 

Evergreen Valley High

East Side Union High 

KIPP San Jose Collegiate

Franklin-McKinley School District

College Connection Academy 

Fremont Union High

Cupertino High

Fremont Union High

Monta Vista High

Milpitas Unified School District 

Rancho Milpitas Middle

SCCOE 

University Preparatory Academy Charter


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Sonia Kao Wed, 11 Sep 2019 19:18:51 GMT /ilid/assessment/Pages/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=3