Two IUSD high schools have been named semifinalists in the esteemed Grammy Signature School program, which annually recognizes campuses that provide exceptional music opportunities for students.

Forgive us if we're starting to sound like a broken record, but congratulations are once again in order for the Woodbridge High School Entertainment Corps, which took home a number of honors over the weekend at a competition in Hacienda Heights.

Woodbridge High biology teacher Mike Nakaue was honored Thursday with one of four "Outstanding Contributions to Education" awards by the Orange County Board of Education and county Superintendent William M. Habermehl.

An Irvine student has earned a spot among 10 finalists in a premier national science competition for students in grades five through eight.

Ninety-six IUSD seniors are in some very elite company this week, having been named semifinalists in the annual pursuit of scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Corp. Overall, 16,000 earned the prestigious honor in the U.S., representing less than 1 percent of all high school seniors.

Congratulations to Hari Garg of Rancho San Joaquin Middle School and Rae Holcomb of South Lake Middle School.

Newsweek magazine has published its annual list of the top public high schools in the U.S., and our very own University High School has landed the No. 8 spot.

A few months back, we were introduced to members of a running club at Woodbury Elementary School called the Mustang Milers, and they had a pretty lofty goal.

Congratulations to University High School Principal John Pehrson, who has been named a “Champion for Character” by the California Interscholastic Federation’s Southern Section.

IUSD students who have excelled in the classroom and on the athletic field were honored this week at the 38th annual Irvine Senior Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet, sponsored by Irvine Valley College and hosted by The Exchange Club of Irvine.