31 San Diego County Schools Among 2026 California Distinguished Schools

SAN DIEGO, CA — Thirty-one schools in San Diego County were recognized Tuesday as 2026 California Distinguished Schools.

A total of 408 middle and high schools were selected for the program, which recognizes schools for exceptional student achievement and efforts to close achievement gaps.

This year, the program added a "Beacons of Opportunity" category to honor high-performing schools serving rural and Title I communities.

The honorees were selected using 2025 data from the California School Dashboard, which tracks graduation rates, college and career readiness, and statewide assessment participation.

"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," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said in a statement. "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."

Schools must meet strict standards to qualify, including at least 95% participation in statewide assessments and acceptable school climate indicators, such as low absenteeism and suspension rates.

Middle and high schools are considered every other year, with elementary and K-8 schools evaluated in alternating years.

• Also see: 12 San Diego County Schools Among 2025 California Distinguished Schools

Elementary and K-8 schools were considered in 2025 and will next be considered in 2027. Middle and high schools were considered in 2026 and will next be considered in 2028.

These are the 2026 California Distinguished Schools in the San Diego area:

• Escondido Union – Quantum Academy
• Grossmont Union High – Helix High School
• Poway Unified – Oak Valley Middle School
• Ramona City Unified – Ramona High School
• Rancho Santa Fe Elementary – R. Roger Rowe Middle School
• San Diego County Office of Education – High Tech High Mesa
• San Diego County Office of Education – High Tech Middle North County
• San Diego Unified – Challenger Middle School
• San Diego Unified – Correia Middle School
• San Diego Unified – De Portola Middle School
• San Diego Unified – East Village Middle College High School
• San Diego Unified – High Tech High International
• San Diego Unified – Kearny College Connections
• San Diego Unified – Magnolia Science Academy San Diego
• San Diego Unified – Mira Mesa High School
• San Diego Unified – Mission Bay High School
• San Diego Unified – Muirlands Middle School
• San Diego Unified – Pershing Middle School
• San Diego Unified – Preuss School UCSD
• San Diego Unified – School for Entrepreneurship and Technology
• San Diego Unified – Scripps Ranch High School
• San Diego Unified – Standley Middle School
• San Dieguito Union High – Canyon Crest Academy
• San Dieguito Union High – Diegueno Middle School
• San Dieguito Union High – La Costa Canyon High School
• San Dieguito Union High – Pacific Trails Middle School
• San Marcos Unified – San Elijo Middle School
• SBE - College Preparatory Middle – College Preparatory Middle School
• Sweetwater Union High – Bonita Vista Senior High School
• Sweetwater Union High – Eastlake High School
• Vista Unified – Mission Vista High School