State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has recognized 31 California schools that have been nominated as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2025 and, following the U.S. Department of Education’s elimination of the NBRS program, are being awarded the distinction of 2025 California Blue Ribbon Schools.

This prestigious award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that close achievement and opportunity gaps as well schools where students demonstrate especially high levels of academic success.

“It’s my pleasure to congratulate these school communities on their hard work to earn recognition as 2025 California Blue Ribbon Schools. While the U.S. Department of Education has abruptly ended the NBRS program, I want to ensure that the hard work of students, staff, and educators does not go unrecognized,” Thurmond said, in an Oct. 23 news release. “This award affirms the dedication and achievement of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.”

Schools are recognized based on overall academic performance or progress in closing opportunity gaps among student subgroups. Blue Ribbon schools are among the state’s highest performing based on all students’ scores, subgroups’ scores, and graduation rates.

California Blue Ribbon School communities will receive official recognition from the CDE and will be formally celebrated at the annual California School Recognition Program celebration in spring of 2026. The California Blue Ribbon School recognition program, established to recognize certified nominees of the canceled NBRS program, will be awarded for this year only. Other statewide school recognition programs, such as California Distinguished Schools, will continue to recognize exemplary schools across the state.

California Blue Ribbon Schools for 2025 (by county) Alameda County: Alameda Unified School District, Bay Farm Elementary School; Oakland Unified School District, Crocker Highlands Elementary School; Alameda County Office of Education, Yu Ming Charter School. Contra Costa County: San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Los Cerros Middle School. Fresno County: Clovis Unified School District, Kastner Intermediate School and Liberty Elementary School; Central Unified School District, Norman Liddell Elementary School. Humboldt County: Arcata Elementary School District, Union Street Charter School. Imperial County: Holtville Unified School District, Pine Elementary School. Los Angeles County: Glendale Unified School District, Chamlian Armenian School, Anderson W. Clark Magnet High School; Compton Unified School District, Willowbrook Middle School; Lawndale Elementary School District, Lucille J. Smith Elementary School; Los Angeles Unified School District, Clover Avenue Elementary School, and Third Street Elementary School; Pomona Unified School District, Pantera Elementary School; William S. Hart Union High School District, Arroyo Seco Junior High School. Orange County: Anaheim Union High School District, Oxford Academy; Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Troy High School; Pacific Southwest District, Lutheran High School - Orange County; Tustin Unified School District, Tustin Memorial Academy. Riverside County: Murrieta Valley Unified School District, Dorothy McElhinney Middle School. Sacramento County: Elk Grove Unified School District, Elliott Ranch Elementary School. San Bernardino County: Adelanto Elementary School District, Gus Franklin Jr. Elementary School; Etiwanda School District, Day Creek Intermediate School. San Diego County: Chula Vista Elementary, Camarena (Enrique S.) Elementary School; San Diego Unified, Magnolia Science Academy San Diego, San Diego Global Vision Academy, and San Diego, SBE - College Preparatory Middle School, College Preparatory Middle School. San Francisco County: Archdiocese of San Francisco, Ecole Notre Dame Des Victoires. San Joaquin County: Lodi Unified School District, Elkhorn School.