77 charter public schools recognized for excellence, with nearly half located in Los Angeles County
SACRAMENTO, CA — Seventy-seven of California’s top-performing charter public middle and high schools have been named 2026 California Distinguished Public Schools, one of the state’s highest honors recognizing exceptional student achievement andacademic excellence.
Announced by the California Department of Education, the award highlights schools that demonstrate strong outcomes, innovative practices, and success in closing achievement gaps.
Notably, 39 of the recognized charter schools are located in Los Angeles County, many within the Los Angeles Unified School District—underscoring the vital role charter public schools play in driving results in large, diverse communities.
“These schools are proof that when educators are empowered with flexibility and accountability, students thrive,” said Myrna Castrejon, President & CEO of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA). “Charter public schools are essential to California’s education system—expanding opportunity, accelerating achievement, and delivering life-changing outcomes for students, especially those historically underserved.”
Established in 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Award celebrates public schools that lead the state in academic performance and student success. This year’s honorees were recognized across three categories:
- Exemplary High Achievers – Top-performing schools where all students, including historically underserved groups, are achieving at high levels.
- Achievement Gap Closers – Schools accelerating academic growth for underserved student groups while maintaining strong overall performance.
- Beacons of Opportunity – A new category recognizing schools in rural and Title I communities delivering exceptional outcomes across multiple measures.
Charter public schools continue to serve as a critical driver of innovation and equity within California’s K–12 system—offering families high-quality, tuition-free public school options while delivering strong, measurable results for students.
By tailoring instruction, fostering inclusive school cultures, and focusing on student outcomes, charter schools are helping to close persistent opportunity gaps and prepare students for success in college, career, and life.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Members of the media are invited to visit and tour any of the recognized charter public schools to see their impact firsthand. CCSA can also connect reporters with charter school leaders to arrange interviews at individual campuses. Contact: Ana Tintocalis, VP, PR & Creative Services, CCSA — [email protected]
2026 California Distinguished Public Charter Schools
Charter Schools by Region
Greater Los Angeles – 39 honorees
- Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High (LAUSD)
- Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High (LAUSD)
- Alliance Leichtman-Levine Family Foundation Environmental Science High (LAUSD)
- Alliance Marc & Eva Stern Math and Science (LAUSD)
- Alliance Margaret M. Bloomfield Technology Academy High (LAUSD)
- Alliance Patti And Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy (LAUSD)
- Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High (LAUSD)
- Alliance Ted K. Tajima High (LAUSD)
- Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle (LAUSD)
- Animo Jackie Robinson High (LAUSD)
- Animo Pat Brown (LAUSD)
- Animo South Los Angeles Charter (LAUSD)
- Animo Venice Charter High (LAUSD)
- Animo Watts College Preparatory Academy (LAUSD)
- California School of the Arts (Duarte Unified)
- CATCH Prep Charter High, Inc. (LAUSD)
- Central City Value (LAUSD)
- City Honors International Preparatory High (Inglewood Unified)
- Da Vinci Science (Wiseburn Unified)
- Ednovate - Esperanza College Prep (LAUSD)
- Ednovate - USC Hybrid High College Prep (LAUSD)
- Environmental Charter High (Lawndale Elementary School District)
- Gaspar De Portola Charter Middle (LAUSD)
- George Ellery Hale Charter Academy (LAUSD)
- Hawthorne Math and Science Academy (Hawthorne School District)
- ICEF View Park Prep High School (LAUSD)
- ICEF Vista Middle Academy (LAUSD)
- Lennox Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy (Lennox School District)
- Magnolia Science Academy 4 (LAUSD)
- Magnolia Science Academy 5 (LAUSD)
- Magnolia Science Academy 6 (LAUSD)
- Port of Los Angeles High (LAUSD)
- PUC Community Charter Middle and PUC Community Charter Early College High (LAUSD)
- PUC Lakeview Charter High (LAUSD)
- PUC Triumph Charter Academy and PUC Triumph Charter High (LAUSD)
- Synergy Kinetic Academy (LAUSD)
- Taft Charter High (LAUSD)
- Valor Academy High (LAUSD)
- WISH Academy High (LAUSD)
Southern California – 13 honorees
- College Preparatory Middle (San Diego County)
- El Rancho Charter (Orange Unified)
- Helix High (Grossmont Union High)
- High Tech High Mesa (San Diego County)
- High Tech Middle North County (San Diego County)
- High Tech High International (San Diego Unified)
- Magnolia Science Academy San Diego (San Diego Unified)
- Oxford Preparatory Academy – Middle (Orange County)
- Samueli Academy (Orange County)
- School for Entrepreneurship and Technology (San Diego Unified)
- The Grove School (Redlands Unified)
- The Preuss School UC San Diego (San Diego Unified)
- Western Center Academy (Hemet Unified)
Central Valley & Northern Central – 11 honorees
- Aspire Benjamin Holt College Preparatory Academy (Lodi Unified)
- Harmony Magnet Academy (Porterville Unified)
- Health Careers Academy (Stockton Unified)
- Hickman Middle (Stanislaus County)
- Millennium Charter (Tracy Joint Unified)
- Porterville Military Academy (Porterville Unified)
- Reedley Middle College High (Kings Canyon Unified)
- Sherman Thomas STEM Academy (Madera Unified)
- Stockton Early College Academy (Stockton Unified)
- University High (Fresno Unified)
- University Preparatory High (Tulare County)
Bay Area – 6 honorees
- Oakland Unity Middle (Oakland Unified)
- KIPP King Collegiate High (San Lorenzo Unified)
- KIPP Navigate College Prep (Santa Clara County)
- KIPP Summit Academy (San Lorenzo Unified)
- Summit Public School: Shasta (Jefferson Union High)
- University Preparatory Academy Charter (Santa Clara County)
Northern California – 8 honorees
- Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy (Summerville Union High)
- Credo High (Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified)
- Hillcrest Middle (Gravenstein Union Elementary)
- Inspire School of Arts and Sciences (Chico Unified)
- Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts (Marysville Joint Unified)
- University Preparatory (Shasta Union HS District)
- Washington Middle College High (Washington Unified)
- Western Sierra Collegiate Academy (Rocklin Unified)
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About the California Charter Schools Association
The vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to build great public schools of joy and rigor that prepare all California students for success in college, career, community, and life. The mission of CCSA is to meet parent, educator, and community need for great public school options by supporting and advocating for high quality non-profit charter schools and sharing their success throughout California’s public schools. Learn more.