Dorothy McElhinney Middle School In Murrieta Receives Prestigious Blue Ribbon Honor

MURRIETA, CA — Dorothy McElhinney Middle School in Murrieta was named a 2025 California Blue Ribbon School — the only school in Riverside County to make the list, officials announced.

The prestigious recognition by the California Department of Education honors schools that demonstrate exceptional academic performance and success in closing achievement and opportunity gaps.

Dorothy McElhinney Middle School is one of only 31 campuses statewide to receive this honor:

California Blue Ribbon Schools for 2025 (County, District Name, School Name)

• Alameda, Alameda Unified School District, Bay Farm Elementary School
• Alameda, Oakland Unified School District, Crocker Highlands Elementary School
• Alameda, Alameda County Office of Education, Yu Ming Charter School
• Contra Costa, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Los Cerros Middle School
• Fresno, Clovis Unified School District, Kastner Intermediate School
• Fresno, Central Unified School District, Norman Liddell Elementary School
• Fresno, Clovis Unified School District, Liberty Elementary School
• Humboldt, Arcata Elementary School District, Union Street Charter School
• Imperial, Holtville Unified School District, Pine Elementary School
• Los Angeles, Glendale Unified School District, Chamlian Armenian School
• Los Angeles, Compton Unified School District, Willowbrook Middle School
• Los Angeles, Glendale Unified School District, Anderson W. Clark Magnet High School
• Los Angeles, Lawndale Elementary School District, Lucille J. Smith Elementary School
• Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District, Clover Avenue Elementary School
• Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District, Third Street Elementary School
• Los Angeles, Pomona Unified School District, Pantera Elementary School
• Los Angeles, William S. Hart Union High School District, Arroyo Seco Junior High School
• Orange, Anaheim Union High School District, Oxford Academy
• Orange, Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Troy High School
• Orange, Pacific Southwest District, Lutheran High School - Orange County
• Orange, Tustin Unified School District, Tustin Memorial Academy
• Riverside, Murrieta Valley Unified School District, Dorothy McElhinney Middle School
• Sacramento, Elk Grove Unified School District, Elliott Ranch Elementary School
• San Bernardino, Adelanto Elementary School District, Gus Franklin Jr. Elementary School
• San Bernardino, Etiwanda School District, Day Creek Intermediate School
• San Diego, Chula Vista Elementary, Camarena (Enrique S.) Elementary School
• San Diego, San Diego Unified, Magnolia Science Academy San Diego
• San Diego, San Diego Unified, San Diego Global Vision Academy
• San Diego, SBE - College Preparatory Middle School, College Preparatory Middle School
• San Francisco, Archdiocese of San Francisco, Ecole Notre Dame Des Victoires
• San Joaquin, Lodi Unified School District, Elkhorn School

The Blue Ribbon award was announced Oct. 23 by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who commended California’s top-performing schools for their dedication to student success, equity, and excellence.

The California Blue Ribbon School recognition program was established this year by the California Department of Education following the U.S. Department of Education’s discontinuance of the national Blue-Ribbon program.

The CDE noted that its annual recognitions will ensure that California schools continue to be celebrated for their exemplary work toward student achievement.

"I am incredibly proud of DMMS for earning the distinction of being named a 2025 California Blue Ribbon School," said Dr. Ward Andrus, Superintendent of Murrieta Valley Unified School District. "This achievement reflects the exceptional commitment of our staff, students and families who have worked together to support student learning. The Blue-Ribbon award affirms what we see daily in our schools. They are places where students are academically challenged, supported, and inspired to achieve their absolute best."

California Blue Ribbon Schools will be formally celebrated at the California School Recognition Program celebration in spring 2026.

Dorothy McElhinney Middle School serves 1,440 students in grades 6–8.