Six FUSD Elementary Schools Named ‘California Distinguished Schools’

FREMONT, CA — The Fremont Unified School District is officially home to six of the 356 elementary schools named as 2023 California Distinguished Schools by the California Department of Education Friday, Jan. 6.

Forest Park Elementary, Mission Valley Elementary, Joshua Chadbourne Elementary, Fred E. Weibel Elementary, Joseph Azevada Elementary and Warm Springs Elementary all received the honor, according to a news release issued by FUSD.

The Circle of Independent Learning, a charter school authorized by FUSD, was also named a 2023 California Distinguished School.

"I congratulate the staff and students at each of our Distinguished Schools," FUSD Superintendent CJ Cammack said. "Across FUSD, our schools are providing world-class educational experiences and responsive support for each student. I am proud that the excellence of our educators, students and families is being acknowledged at the state level."

Elementary schools and secondary schools are recognized in alternate years; FUSD’s John F. Kennedy High School was named a 2021 California Distinguished School in the most recent selection by the CDE.

The California Distinguished Schools Program recognizes outstanding education programs and practices. The CDE identifies eligible schools based on their performance and progress on the 2022 California School Dashboard; schools were selected for closing the achievement gap or exceptional student performance based on assessment results, rates of chronic absenteeism, suspension rates, and socioeconomic data.

“California Distinguished Schools represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning, and collaboration, but also highly successful, data-driven school efforts ranging from professional development for educators to mental health and social-emotional wellness strategies to address the needs of students and families,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said in a Jan. 6 news release announcing the selections.

All of the 2023 California Distinguished Schools will be honored in an awards ceremony on February 16, 2023.