Lakeside, Rancho San Joaquin, Sierra Vista, South Lake and Venado middle schools, along with Irvine and Woodbridge high schools, have been named 2026 California Distinguished Schools. This designation is the state’s top honor for schools.
California Distinguished Schools are selected based on key indicators tied to the California School Dashboard, which is the state’s primary school accountability and improvement tool. Indicators reflect test scores, suspension rates, conditions and school climate. In total, 408 California high schools and middle schools were honored through this year’s Distinguished Schools program, with 44 in Orange County.
“IUSD is proud of our students, staff and parents, who exemplify our mission to provide the highest quality educational experience we can envision," said IUSD Board of Education President Jeff Kim. "Congratulations to our schools for this prestigious designation.”
Schools are automatically reviewed every two years. Elementary and K–8 schools were recognized in 2025, and middle and high schools will be reviewed next in 2028.
“It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 408 schools for their efforts to move the needle for student achievement, no matter what,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “An excellent public education has the power to transform lives, and I commend the educators and school communities who have dedicated themselves to producing exemplary results. This year’s California Distinguished Schools represent the hard work of our middle and high school educators and school staff, who provide our secondary students with life-changing educational opportunities.”
The 2026 California Distinguished School will be recognized in Anaheim on April 24, 2026.
For more information on the designation, please visit the CDE California Distinguished Schools Program web page.