Nonprofit releases Honor Roll list of top CA schools A California education nonprofit has released its annual list of public schools and districts across the state that are helping students of all backgrounds achieve high academic performance.

Educational Results Partnership has announced the 2025 California Honor Roll, which is based on an analysis of newly released 2025 CAASPP results from the California Department of Education.

This year, 1,834 schools and 158 districts made the California Honor Roll, representing about one in five public schools and systems statewide.

Now in its 11th year, the California Honor Roll is based on a comprehensive analysis of the three most recent years of CAASPP data in English language arts and mathematics. ERP’s data and research team applies a consistent methodology to evaluate performance and improvement across all student groups, highlighting schools that demonstrate sustained academic growth and reduced achievement gaps over time.

Recognized schools share a common profile: They show measurable progress in student achievement for all groups of students served, particularly among higher-poverty and historically underserved populations, and they maintain strong performance year after year despite demographic or economic challenges.

By spotlighting schools and districts that are improving outcomes year over year for all students, the Honor Roll helps inform instructional strategies, resource allocation, and systemwide improvement efforts. It is also the only data-informed school recognition program presented in partnership with state and local business leaders because there is a strong correlation between strong academic performance and mastering the fundamental skills employers value.

“Business leaders are proud to recognize high performing schools that are equipping students with the fundamental skills that matter most to employers,” said Dan Kinney, ERP’s board chair, in a news release. “Even as the world and the workforce rapidly change, these schools are helping students build strong foundations in critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving—skills that will always be essential in any economy.”

View the full list of honorees at honorrollschools.com.

ACSA member recognized in national principals program Dr. Julie Hatchel, principal of El Morro Elementary School in the Laguna Beach Unified School District, is being recognized in the 2025 National Distinguished Principals program.

This program of the National Association of Elementary School Principals honors outstanding elementary and middle-level principals who ensure that America’s children acquire a sound foundation for lifelong learning and achievement.. This year’s honorees convened in Washington, D.C., in October during National Principals Month to be honored as the 2025 NAESP National Distinguished Principals.

As ACSA’s 2024 Elementary Principal of the Year, Hatchel was chosen by ACSA to represent California in the program.

In her 18 years as principal, Hatchel has made it her duty to lead with a “benevolent, clear, shared vision, and a collective commitment to sustaining an environment where both students and staff thrive.” Her leadership prioritizes high visibility and authentic relationships balanced with a rigorous approach to academic achievement.

At K-5 El Morro Elementary, where she has been principal for three years, Hatchel’s

approach has yielded significant gains in ELA, math, and school culture. The school has the highest parent satisfaction rate in the district, rooted in families’ positive perceptions of staff commitment, community engagement, curricular relevance, and student safety. The same satisfaction is reflected in El Morro’s collaborative professional culture, with Hatchel taking an empowerment approach to staff development, tailoring resources to align teaching with the interests and learning styles of each student.

Across the multiple campuses she has led, Hatchel has cultivated social and learning environments with student agency at the center. She has designed programs to activate students’ leadership and empathy while finding their voice in the community, including student-run philanthropies, district-level focus groups, and restorative practices that promote positive behavior through student modeling and reinforcement. In addition to serving as principal, Hatchel served as a district-level curriculum leader and assistant superintendent. She holds Ed.D. and M.A. degrees in Education and a B.A. in English from California State University, Fullerton.

Poll: 94 percent of Gen Z has mental health issues monthly Gen Z youth are sounding the alarm: Nearly all (94 percent) report experiencing mental health challenges in an average month. That’s according to a new poll of California teens and young adults by Blue Shield of California’s BlueSky youth mental health initiative and Children Now.

Despite challenges, youth are also taking action. Sixty-nine percent say they have talked to a friend about their mental health. Of the 78 percent who say they are concerned about climate change, nearly all respondents (99 percent) concerned about climate change say they’ve taken at least one pro-climate action in the past year.

The BlueSky Youth Mental Health Survey polled 750 California youths, ages 14 to 25, from urban and rural communities across the state about their mental health challenges and how they access and navigate support.

“The data shows youth are deeply affected by the world around them, from climate anxiety and safety to social media pressures. Young people are concerned about the future and how we treat one another,” said Dr. Nicole Stelter, director of Behavioral Health at Blue Shield of California. “It’s more important than ever that clinicians, educators, policymakers and caring adults listen to what our youth are saying and treat this seriously for what it is — a youth mental health crisis.”

Top concerns for youth include:

Affordability pressures — The majority expressed concerns about making ends meet, citing concerns including things like housing affordability (87 percent) and finding a good job (73 percent).

Gun violence and climate change — 85 percent cited gun violence and 78 percent cited climate change as major stressors.

Discrimination —78 percent reported concerns about racism and 67 percent said discrimination against LGBTQ+ people is a stressor, while concern about discrimination against immigrants ranked even higher at 81 percent.

Find a link to the full report at news.blueshieldca.com/2025/09/30/new-poll-94-of-gen-z-youth-report-experiencing-regular-mental-health-challenges.