The 2026 California Distinguished Schools recognition program aims to recognize exemplary instructional programs throughout California public schools, the largest public school system in the United States.
The 2026 award categories build on long-standing recognition of the following two categories:
- Exemplary High Achievers: Schools that are among the highest in the state in academic achievement for all students, which have also ensured that historically underserved student groups are maintaining or increasing academic progress.
- Achievement Gap Closers: Schools that are accelerating academic progress for two or more groups that have been historically underserved, while also demonstrating achievement for all students that is above the state median and maintaining or increasing academic performance for all students.
Beginning in 2026, California Distinguished Schools now includes a third category of recognition:
- Beacons of Opportunity: Schools serving rural or Title I school communities that distinguish themselves through multiple student outcomes at very high performance levels.
Eligibility for all categories is determined by metrics generated through the California statewide accountability system for public schools, the California School Dashboard. The 2026 California Distinguished Schools were determined using data from the 2025 California School Dashboard.
This year, California recognized 336 middle and high schools for providing outstanding public education and opportunities to students. Elementary schools and middle and high schools are recognized in alternate years; therefore, awardees hold the title for two years.
The Orange County Department of Education is pleased to honor the following 42 schools as 2026 CA Distinguished Schools Awardees:
California Distinguished Schools Awardees
Lexington Junior High
| Anaheim Union High
|
| Oxford Academy | Anaheim Union High |
| Brea Junior High | Brea-Olinda Unified |
Arroyo Vista Middle
| Capistrano Unified |
| Bernice Ayer Middle | Capistrano Unified |
| Capistrano Valley High | Capistrano Unified |
| Las Flores Middle | Capistrano Unified |
| Marco Forster Middle | Capistrano Unified |
| Tesoro High | Capistrano Unified |
| Masuda (Kazuo) Middle | Fountain Valley Elementary |
| Sunny Hills High | Fullerton Joint Union High |
| Troy High | Fullerton Joint Union High |
| Bolsa Grande High | Garden Grove Unified |
| Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate | Garden Grove Unified |
| Hilton D. Bell Intermediate | Garden Grove Unified |
| James Irvine Intermediate | Garden Grove Unified |
| La Quinta High | Garden Grove Unified |
| Los Amigos High | Garden Grove Unified |
| Pacifica High | Garden Grove Unified |
| Santiago High | Garden Grove Unified |
| Sarah McGarvin Intermediate | Garden Grove Unified |
| Ethel Dwyer Middle | Huntington Beach City Elementary |
| Westminster High | Huntington Beach Union High |
| Irvine High | Irvine Unified |
| Lakeside Middle | Irvine Unified |
| Rancho San Joaquin Middle | Irvine Unified |
| Sierra Vista Middle | Irvine Unified |
| South Lake Middle | Irvine Unified |
| Venado Middle | Irvine Unified |
| Woodbridge High | Irvine Unified |
| Thurston Middle | Laguna Beach Unified |
| Early College High School | Newport-Mesa Unified |
| Oxford Preparatory Academy - Middle | Orange County Department of Education |
| Samueli Academy | Orange County Department of Education |
| El Rancho Charter | Orange Unified |
| Col. J. K. Tuffree Middle | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified |
| La Paz Intermediate | Saddleback Valley Unified |
| Douglas MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate | Santa Ana Unified |
| Hector G. Godinez | Santa Ana Unified |
| Middle College High School | Santa Ana Unified |
| Hewes Middle | Tustin Unified |
| Helen Stacey Middle | Westminster
|
For further information regarding the California Distinguished Schools program, please contact EventsandPartnerships@ocde.us.
