LOS ANGELES (March 12, 2026) — A total of 83 schools across the Los Angeles Unified School District have received statewide recognition recently through multiple programs administered by the California Department of Education, highlighting strong academic outcomes and innovative student support programs across the District.
Among the honors, 73 Los Angeles Unified middle and high schools were named 2026 California Distinguished Schools, one of the state’s highest recognitions for public schools. The designation celebrates campuses demonstrating strong academic achievement and meaningful progress in improving student outcomes.
Established in 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Program is one of the state’s most prestigious school recognitions, honoring campuses demonstrating strong academic achievement and meaningful progress in improving student outcomes. Schools are recognized in alternating years, with elementary schools eligible in odd-numbered years and middle and high schools eligible in even-numbered years.
In addition to the Distinguished Schools honors, Los Angeles Unified schools were also recognized by the state for programs focused on supporting students with diverse learning needs. A total of ten schools districtwide were named 2026 Model Continuation High Schools or Community Day Schools, recognizing exemplary programs that provide flexible academic pathways, counseling, and targeted supports for students working toward graduation.
“These recognitions reflect the dedication of our educators, staff and families who work every day to ensure students have access to the high-quality learning experiences that prepare them for college, careers and life,” Acting Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified Andrés E. Chait said.
The announcements add to a series of recent academic achievements across Los Angeles Unified. In recent months, the District has reported significant gains in Advanced Placement participation and performance, while also earning national recognition from the Magnet Schools of America, which honored numerous Los Angeles Unified campuses among the nation’s top magnet programs.
"Los Angeles Unified is honored to have so many of its schools recognized by the State Superintendent this year, including those named California Distinguished Schools as well as Model Continuation High Schools and Community Day Schools," Board President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “We continue to push for equitable and safe environments to ensure academic success throughout the district and close achievement gaps. Congratulations to all our schools, students, teachers, principals, and parents. This achievement is a reflection of their work and dedication."
“I’m proud to see several of our Board District 2 schools recognized as 2026 California Distinguished Schools,” Board Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas said. “Congratulations to Downtown Business High School, Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, John Marshall Senior High School, King/Drew Medical Magnet High School, Luther Burbank Middle School STEM Magnet, and Math, Science, & Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High School. Along with our district’s Model Continuation High Schools and Community Day Schools also recognized this year, these honors reflect the continued growth of our school communities and the dedication of students, educators, staff, and families.”
“I am incredibly proud of the LAUSD schools recognized this year, including those named 2026 California Distinguished Schools and our Model Continuation High Schools and Community Day Schools, especially those in Board District 1,” Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill said. “These recognitions reflect the excellence, dedication, and innovation happening in our classrooms every day. They honor the hard work of our students, educators, families, and school leaders who continue to demonstrate what is possible when we invest in opportunity and support for every child.”
“We are proud to see so many of our middle and high schools receiving recognition from the state of California this year, including Portola Charter Middle, Taft Charter High, Hollywood High, ICEF Vista Middle Academy, Magnolia Science Academy 4, Mark Twain Middle, Animo Venice Charter High, Venice High, and WISH Academy High in Board District 4,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “We also celebrate the continuation and day schools recognized across our district for the critical work they do supporting students on alternative pathways to graduation, including Phoenix Continuation High School in Board District 4. We congratulate all the amazing and talented educators, students, and families in these communities of excellence and will continue working to expand and replicate the successful, thriving programs within our district.”
“Congratulations to our LAUSD schools and communities for achieving this great distinction,” Board Member Karla Griego said. “From our California Distinguished Schools to the continuation and day schools recognized this year, these honors reflect the dedication of our staff, educators, parents, and community partners who each play a key role in supporting our students' academic success.”
“Congratulations to the 2026 California Distinguished Schools in Board District 6 and across our district,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “It is also inspiring to see Los Angeles Unified continuation and day schools recognized by the state this year. Together, these honors are a testament to the hard work and care of our school staff and the many ways our schools support students on the path to success.”
“Congratulations to all the selected 2026 California Distinguished Schools, especially our 13 Board District 7 traditional, pilot, magnet, and charter schools, for this well-deserved recognition of outstanding student achievement,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “I am also proud of the continuation and community day schools across Los Angeles Unified, for being recognized this year for their important work supporting students on the path to graduation. I am deeply grateful to our dedicated educators and staff who work every day to ensure our scholars are prepared for success in college, career, and life.”
Los Angeles Unified’s “California Distinguished Schools” for 2026 are:
- Academy of Medical Arts at Carson High School
- Alexander Fleming Middle School
- Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High School
- Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High School
- Alliance Leichtman-Levine Family Foundation Environmental Science High School
- Alliance Marc & Eva Stern Math and Science High School
- Alliance Margaret M. Bloomfield Technology Academy High School
- Alliance Patti and Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy
- Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High School
- Alliance Ted K. Tajima High School
- Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle School
- Animo Jackie Robinson Charter High School
- Animo Pat Brown Charter High School
- Animo South Los Angeles Charter School
- Animo Venice Charter High School
- Animo Watts College Preparatory Academy
- Bell Senior High School
- Carson Senior High School
- CATCH Prep Charter High School
- Central City Value High School
- Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academies – Social Justice Humanitas Academy
- Downtown Business High School
- Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy
- Eagle Rock High School
- Early College Academy – LA Trade Tech College
- Ednovate – Esperanza College Prep
- Ednovate – USC Hybrid High School
- Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School
- Gaspar De Portola Charter Middle School
- George Ellery Hale Charter Academy
- George K. Porter Middle School
- Girls Academic Leadership Academy, Dr. Michelle King School for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- Hollywood Senior High School
- Humanities and Arts (HARTS) Academy of Los Angeles
- ICEF View Park Preparatory High School
- ICEF Vista Middle Academy
- International Studies Learning Center at Legacy High School Complex
- John Burroughs Middle School
- John F. Kennedy High School
- John Marshall Senior High School
- King/Drew Medical Magnet High School
- Linda Esperanza Marquez High School – Huntington Park Institute of Applied Medicine
- Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies
- Luther Burbank Middle School Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math Magnet
- Magnolia Science Academy 4
- Magnolia Science Academy 6
- Mark Twain Middle School
- Math, Science and Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High School
- Maywood Center for Enriched Studies
- Middle College High School
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School
- Orthopaedic Hospital School
- Patrick Henry Middle School
- Port of Los Angeles High School
- PUC Community Charter Middle School and PUC Community Charter Early College High School
- PUC Lakeview Charter High School
- PUC Triumph Charter Academy and PUC Triumph Charter High School
- Robert Frost Middle School
- San Pedro Senior High School
- Science Academy STEM Magnet
- Sotomayor Arts and Sciences Magnet
- South East High School
- STEM Academy at Bernstein High School
- Sylmar Biotech Health and Engineering Magnet
- Synergy Kinetic Academy
- Taft Charter High School
- Ulysses S. Grant Senior High School
- University Pathways Public Service Academy
- Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Valor Academy High School
- Venice Senior High School
- Washington Irving Middle School Math, Music and Engineering Magnet
- WISH Academy High School
The following nine Los Angeles Unified schools were named 2026 Model Continuation High Schools, recognized for their exemplary programs that provide flexible academic pathways, counseling and targeted supports for students working toward graduation:
- Amelia Earhart Continuation High School
- Frida Kahlo Continuation High School
- George S. Patton Continuation High School
- Independence Continuation High School
- John Hope Continuation High School
- Monterey Continuation High School
- Phoenix Continuation High School
- Whitney Young Continuation High School
- Will Rogers Continuation High School
In addition, Aggeler Community Day School was named a 2026 Model Community Day School, one of only three schools statewide recognized for providing rigorous academic instruction alongside strong mental health supports and personalized student services.
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