Awards and Recognition

Academic Achievement Awards
Honors Title I schools that have demonstrated success in significantly closing the achievement gap between high and low-performing students.

California Distinguished Schools Program
Honors some of California's most exemplary and inspiring public schools. Schools selected for the Distinguished School Award demonstrate significant gains in narrowing the achievement gap.

California Exemplary Arts Education Award
Recognizes some of California’s exemplary schools for excellence in Arts Education. Schools selected for the Exemplary Arts Education Award demonstrate broad-based achievement in Arts instruction and for advancing the Arts for all students.

California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award
Recognizes schools for their exemplary dual enrollment programming that provides opportunities to enroll in and earn college credits while in high school. Schools selected for this award demonstrate quality, equity driven dual enrollment programs.

California Gold Ribbon Schools Program
A program for which honors some of California's outstanding public schools. Schools that are selected demonstrate exemplary achievements in implementing state standards in priority areas.

California Green Ribbon Schools Program
Honors schools and school districts for excellence in whole-school sustainability: reduced environmental impact and cost; improved health and wellness; and exemplary environmental education, including STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways.

California Pivotal Practice Program
A program recognizing some of California's districts and public schools. Districts and schools that are selected have demonstrated innovation and exceptional work when California required schools to offer distance learning.

California Teachers of the Year
Recognizes exemplary teachers who best represent all of California’s teachers and symbolize the profession’s contributions to quality education.

Classified School Employees of the Year
Recognizes exemplary classified school employees who best represent all of California's classified staff and symbolize the profession's contributions and commitment to quality education.

Excellence in Museum Education Award
The Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Museum Education Competition recognizes the outstanding achievements in California museum programs that serve kindergarten through grade twelve students and/or educators.

Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
To be eligible for the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma, students must be receiving a high school diploma from their district and have earned designated results on six qualifying examinations.

Honors at Graduation
Certificates for honoring outstanding graduating seniors at their commencement ceremonies.

Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards
Provide public recognition and financial rewards to elementary and secondary school teachers and principals who are furthering excellence in education.

Model Community Day School Recognition Program
Identifies and recognizes outstanding community day school programs and creates a resource list of exemplary programs for school visitations and mentoring.

Model Continuation High School Recognition Program
Honors outstanding continuation high schools for their comprehensive programs and provides a list of model continuation high schools for school visitations.

National Blue Ribbon Schools
A federal No Child Left Behind program that celebrates many of America's most successful schools. Its goal is to promote and support the improvement of education in America.

Presidential Awards for Math & Science Teaching
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program honors outstanding science and mathematics teachers who are leaders in the improvement of science and mathematics education.