RSM Schools Named Most Distinguished In CA

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — A Rancho Santa Margarita school was awarded the prestigious California Distinguished School designation, which is awarded each year to a small percentage of public secondary schools around the state that demonstrate the highest achievements in academics and closing the achievement gap.

293 middle and high schools across the Golden State were selected for the prestigious 2024 California Distinguished Schools Award, which, since its inception in 1985, remains one of the state's most important ways to celebrate exceptional schools, districts, teachers and classified employees for their contributions to education.

“It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 293 secondary schools for their efforts to provide exemplary public education to all students. Excellent middle schools and high schools play a critical role in the life outcomes of our young people,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said. “This year’s California Distinguished Schools celebration provides us with an opportunity to recognize the hard work of our secondary educators and school staff who help our young adults discover passions and access college- and career-ready experiences that will propel them through life.”

In Orange County, 38 schools in total were honored across the region.

Here's a run-down on the schools being celebrated this year as California Distinguished Schools:

Anaheim Union High School District

• Cypress High School
• John F. Kennedy High School
• Lexington Junior High School
• Magnolia High School
• Oxford Academy

Buena Park Elementary School District

• Buena Park Middle School

Capistrano Unified School District

• Bernice Ayer Middle School
• Carl Hankey Middle School
• Esencia Middle School
• Las Flores Middle School
• Marco Forster Middle School
• Niguel Hills Middle School

Fountain Valley Elementary School District

• Masudo (Kazuo) Middle School

Fullerton Joint Union High School District

• Fullerton Union High School
• Sonora High School

Garden Grove Unified School District

• Hilton D. Bell Intermediate
• Sarah McGarvin Intermediate

Huntington Beach City Elementary School District

• Ethel Dwyer Middle School

Irvine Unified School District

• Jeffrey Trail Middle School
• Northwood High School
• South Lake Middle School
• Venado Middle School

Los Alamitos Unified School District

• Oak Middle School
• Sharon Christa McAuliffe Middle School

Lowell Joint Unified School District

• Rancho-Starbuck Intermediate

Newport-Mesa Unified School District

• Corona del Mar High School
• Estancia High School

Orange Unified School District

• Canyon High School
• El Rancho Charter
• Santiago Middle School

Orange Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

• Kraemer Middle School

Saddleback Valley Unified School District

• La Paz Intermediate
• Mission Viejo High School
• Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate

Tustin Unified School District

• Magnet Academy
• Pioneer Middle School
• Tustin High School

Westminster Unified School District

• Helen Stacey Middle School