Fourteen middle schools and high schools serving North Orange County communities have been named 2026 California Distinguished Schools, the state's highest recognition for public secondary schools.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced the full list of 408 honorees on March 10, drawing from California School Dashboard data. Schools were recognized in three categories: Exemplary High Achievers, Achievement Gap Closers, and a new category for 2026 called Beacons of Opportunity, which targets rural and Title I schools with strong student outcomes.
All honorees will be recognized at a ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on April 24, 2026.
Garden Grove Unified: Nine Schools Recognized
Garden Grove Unified School District led the region with nine schools earning Distinguished School status, a significant showing for a district that serves Garden Grove, Westminster, Stanton, and Midway City communities.
- Bolsa Grande High School
- La Quinta High School
- Los Amigos High School
- Pacifica High School
- Santiago High School
- Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate School
- Hilton D. Bell Intermediate School
- James Irvine Intermediate School
- Sarah McGarvin Intermediate School
The recognition spans both high schools and intermediate schools across the district, reflecting consistent academic performance at multiple grade levels.
Westminster Schools Earn Dual Recognition
Westminster was represented by two schools from two different districts. Helen Stacey Middle School, operated by the Westminster School District, earned recognition alongside Westminster High School, which falls under the Huntington Beach Union High School District.
Fountain Valley and Cypress Also Honored
Masuda (Kazuo) Middle School in Fountain Valley, operated by the Fountain Valley Elementary School District, was named to the list. In Cypress, Lexington Junior High School, part of the Anaheim Union High School District, also earned the distinction.
About the Program
The California Distinguished Schools Program has been recognizing exceptional public schools since 1985. Middle schools and high schools are evaluated in alternating years, meaning this year's honorees will next be eligible in 2028. Schools are automatically considered based on Dashboard data and do not need to apply.
To qualify, schools must have at least 95 percent participation in statewide assessments and cannot have concerning indicators such as high suspension rates or chronic absenteeism.
The full statewide list is available at the California Department of Education website.