State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2023 California Exemplary Arts Education Awards

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that 19 schools were selected for the California Exemplary Arts Education Award. These schools demonstrated an exemplary commitment to providing adequate resources and funding for arts education. This year’s awardees provided high-quality arts curriculum and instruction and assessment; high-quality professional learning for staff who are responsible for providing arts learning; and access to high-quality, culturally responsive arts instruction for all students, including English learners, special education students, and other special populations.

“Congratulations to these 19 schools for their incredible commitment to arts programs, which can have significant positive effects on a student’s academic and personal life,” said Thurmond. “Arts education boosts school attendance, academic achievement, and college attendance rates. Arts programs also improve school climate and promote higher self-esteem and social-emotional development for our students.”

These schools will be celebrated at the California School Recognition Program Ceremony in Anaheim in February 2023. This is the first year that elementary, middle, and high schools—including all direct-funded charter schools, juvenile court community schools, and alternative schools of choice—could apply for this award in the same year. Eligible schools show that they offer instruction in a minimum of three arts disciplines (dance, media arts, music, theatre, and/or visual arts) during the regular school day and show that special populations have equal opportunities to access these programs.

The Exemplary Arts Education awardees represent a broad cross-section of educational institutions from elementary, middle, and high schools. These schools serve diverse demographic populations of varying sizes. Some schools serve primarily Title I students from lower socio-economic circumstances while others serve suburban populations with strong district and community financial support. Read more on the California Department of Education California Exemplary Arts Education Award web page.

2023 California Exemplary Arts Education Awards

• Joaquin Miller Elementary, Burbank Unified School District
• William McKinley Elementary, Burbank Unified School District
• Providencia Elementary, Burbank Unified School District
• Thomas Edison Elementary, Burbank Unified School District
• Carmel High, Carmel Unified School District
• Inspire School of Arts and Sciences, Chico Unified School District
• Reyburn Intermediate, Clovis Unified School District
• Cold Spring Elementary, Cold Spring Elementary School District
• Washington Elementary, Compton Unified School District
• Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Lompoc Unified School District
• Humanities and Arts (HARTS) Academy of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Maywood Center for Enriched Studies, Los Angeles Unified School District
• South Shores/CSUDH Visual and Performing Arts, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Walter Reed Middle, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Marina Vista Elementary, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
• Franklin Elementary, Santa Barbara Unified School District
• John C. Fremont Elementary, Stockton Unified School District
• Temecula Valley High, Temecula Valley Unified School District
• Meadows Arts and Technology Elementary, Ventura County Office of Education

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100