3 LA Schools Win California's Top Achievement Honor

Three Los Angeles schools are celebrating this week after earning California's Distinguished Schools Award, one of the state's highest honors for academic excellence.

Hollywood High School, John Burroughs Middle School, and the Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA) were named to the elite 2026 list on March 10. Out of thousands of California schools, only 408 middle and high schools made the cut.

"An excellent public education has the power to transform lives," said State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. "I commend the educators and school communities who have dedicated themselves to producing exemplary results."

The award isn't just a pat on the back. Schools had to meet tough standards including high graduation rates, college and career readiness benchmarks, and at least 95% participation in statewide testing.

The selection committee reviewed data from the 2025 California School Dashboard, looking at how schools moved the needle on student achievement across all groups. These three LA schools stood out for creating environments where students genuinely thrive.

Since 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Award has celebrated innovation and success in public education. It recognizes not just test scores, but the hard work of teachers, staff, and entire school communities who show up for students every day.

The Ripple Effect

Hollywood High, Burroughs Middle, and GALA were part of a strong showing for Los Angeles. The district placed 75 schools on the statewide honor roll, proving that urban public schools can deliver world-class education when given the right support and leadership.

These wins matter beyond campus boundaries. When schools succeed, they lift entire neighborhoods, giving families hope and showing students what's possible with dedication and community support.

The three schools will be honored alongside other California education champions on April 24 at a ceremony in Anaheim. They'll join fellow Distinguished Schools, Blue Ribbon winners, and other programs recognized for giving students life-changing opportunities.

Excellence in education is contagious, and these three schools are proving it spreads.

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