California Distinguished School

News Release

For immediate release April 11, 2013

Sonoma County schools earn state recognition

County Superintendent Steve Herrington extended his congratulations to six Sonoma County schools that have earned statewide recognition this year. Five of those schools were named 2013 California Distinguished Schools today through an annual awards program that honors the state’s most exemplary public schools. The schools are:

Hillcrest Middle School | Gravenstein Union

Maria Carrillo High School | Santa Rosa City 

Orchard View School | Twin Hills Union

Technology High School | Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified 

Twin Hills Charter Middle School | Twin Hills Union

These Sonoma County schools were among 218 California middle schools and high schools named for this prestigious award. The Distinguished Schools program honors schools that have demonstrated academic excellence for all students and shown progress in narrowing the achievement gap. It recognizes elementary and secondary schools in alternate years.

Schools are identified for Distinguished School eligibility based on a variety of accountability criteria. In submitting their award applications, the schools must show evidence that they are providing all students with a rigorous education. The application process requires in-depth descriptions of two “signature practices” that directly relate to student success. During a site visit by a team of external evaluators, additional data about the effectiveness of those practices is gathered and analyzed.