Yorba Linda Middle School named a 2019 California Distinguished School

The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) is thrilled to announce that Yorba Linda Middle School (YLMS) was recently named a 2019 California Distinguished School, the state’s top award for campuses. According to the California Department of Education (CDE), schools are awarded for achieving exceptional student performance for two consecutive school years or closing the achievement gap between two school years.

“Congratulations to Yorba Linda Middle School on this remarkable recognition,” noted PYLUSD Superintendent, Dr. Greg Plutko. “This acknowledgement shines a light on the diligent efforts of teachers, staff members, administrators, and community members in benefit of students’ academic achievement – the core of the PYLUSD mission and vision.”

The California Department of Education’s Distinguished Schools program recognizes schools that have made exceptional gains in implementing academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education. A school’s eligibility to apply is based on their performance and progress on state indicators as outlined on the California School Dashboard. The award rotates each year between elementary schools and secondary schools.

As stated by the CDE, the Distinguished Schools program was recently on a three-year pause while California transitioned to its new assessment and accountability system. From 2015 to 2017, California recognized schools that demonstrated exemplary achievements with the California Gold Ribbon Schools Program. The Distinguished Schools program returned last year in 2018.

The title “California Distinguished School” is one that Yorba Linda Middle School is familiar with, having earned the distinction several times in previous years including 2013, 2005, and 1992.

For 2019, Yorba Linda Middle School stands as one of only 25 middle and high schools in Orange County and 162 schools in California to receive this matching honor. YLMS and Principal Greg Kemp will be officially honored in April during a ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.

To see the full list of 2019 California Distinguished Schools or to learn more about the program, please visit CDE’s website at www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr19/yr19rel18.asp.