Small School Districts' Association

Congratulations to SSDA member small school districts and their schools recognized as 2026 California Distinguished Schools!

Below is the list of schools and a map of SSDA’s regions across California, including the districts and schools that have been recognized.

Fortuna Union High School District - Academy of the Redwoods
Gateway Unified School District - Central Valley High School
Shasta Union High School District - Foothill High School & University Preparatory
Galt Joint Union High School District - Liberty Ranch High School
Galt Joint Union Elementary School District - Robert L. McCaffrey Middle School
Latrobe School District - Miller's Hill School
Vallecito Union School District - Avery Middle School
Golden Valley Unified School District - Liberty High School
Laguna Beach Unified School District - Thurston Middle School
Los Nietos School District - Los Nietos Middle School
Wasco Union High School District - Wasco High School
Buellton Union School District - Jonata Middle School
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District - Santa Ynez Valley Union High School
El Tejon Unified School District - El Tejon Elementary
Pacific Grove Unified School District - Pacific Grove Middle School
Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District - Los Gatos High School
Hickman Community Charter District - Hickman Middle School
Portola Valley School District - Corte Madera School

These schools are recognized through California’s school recognition program, which honors campuses that stand out for exemplary student outcomes.

Learn more here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr26/yr26rel12.asp