3 Lamorinda Schools Earn 'California Distinguished School' Award

LAMORINDA, CA — Three Lamorinda schools received the 2024 "California Distinguished School" award this week.

Acalanes High in Lafayette, Miramonte High in Orinda, and M.H. Stanley Middle in Lafayette were among 293 middle and high schools across the state to earn the honor, the California Department of Education announced Thursday.

Acalanes and Miramonte, which are in the Acalanes Union High School District, and Stanley Middle, which is part of the Lafayette School District, were among seven Contra Costa County schools to earn the honor. They joined Martinez Junior High in the Martinez Unified School District, Diablo View Middle in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Middle College High in the West Contra Costa Unified School District, and Pine Valley in the San Ramon Unified School District.

The CDE selected the schools based on their performance on criteria indicated on the 2023 Dashboard, which includes academic excellence, ensuring a positive school climate, and closing the academic achievement gap.

The 2024 California Distinguished Schools will hold the title for two years because the state recognizes middle and high schools every other year. Next year, elementary schools have the chance to be recognized with designation.

"It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 293 secondary schools for their efforts to provide exemplary public education to all students," Tony Thurmond, state superintendent of schools, said Thursday in a statement. "Excellent middle schools and high schools play a critical role in the life outcomes of our young people."

According to Thurmond, this year's California Distinguished Schools celebration provides the "opportunity to recognize the hard work of secondary educators and school staff who help our young adults young adults discover passions and access college- and career-ready experiences that will propel them through life."

In May, the 2024 California Distinguished Schools will be honored at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim alongside the 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools, the 2023 Civic Learning Award Schools, and the 2023 and 2024 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award Schools.

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