Multiple High Desert schools receive state recognition

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·3 min read
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Hesperia Unified School District’s Oak Hills High School was among 21 schools in San Bernardino County to receive state recognition.
Hesperia Unified School District’s Oak Hills High School was among 21 schools in San Bernardino County to receive state recognition.

The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools announced that 21 school sites throughout the county have received multiple prestigious state recognitions.

Nearly two dozen schools within the county have been named 2024 California Distinguished Schools, 2024 Schools to Watch, or Model Continuation High Schools for 2024.

Some of the schools recognized are in the Apple Valley Unified, Victor Valley Union High, Adelanto Elementary, and Silver Valley school districts.

“We are incredibly proud of the inspiring, innovative and inclusive work our schools are accomplishing,” Superintendent Ted Alejandre said. “These recognitions prove that our teachers and administrators are some of the most talented educators in California. We are elated to see their hard work recognized and validated.”

University Preparatory School teacher Anna Lovato explains a lesson to student Jimarr Whitaker. Victor Valley Union High School District’s University Prep. was among 21 schools in San Bernardino County to receive state recognition.
University Preparatory School teacher Anna Lovato explains a lesson to student Jimarr Whitaker. Victor Valley Union High School District’s University Prep. was among 21 schools in San Bernardino County to receive state recognition.

California Distinguished Schools 

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced Monday that nearly 300 middle schools and high schools were selected for the esteemed 2024 California Distinguished Schools Program.

Ten schools from throughout the county were recognized for their excellence and growth in academic achievement, ensuring a positive school climate.

The California Distinguished Schools is an annual school recognition program of the California Department of Education.

San Bernardino County schools recognized as 2024 California Distinguished Schools include:

  • Alta Loma Junior High, Alta Loma Elementary School District

  • Alta Loma High School, Chaffey Joint Union High School District

  • Day Creek Intermediate, Etiwanda Elementary School District

  • Etiwanda High School, Chaffey Joint Union High School District

  • Grand Terrace High School at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex, Colton Joint Unified School District

  • Hesperia High School, Hesperia Unified School District

  • Melva Davis Academy of Excellence, Adelanto Elementary School District

  • Oak Hills High School, Hesperia Unified School District

  • University Preparatory, Victor Valley Union High School District

  • Woodcrest Junior High School, Chino Valley Unified School District

Hesperia Unified School District’s Hesperia High School was among 21 schools in San Bernardino County to receive state recognition.
Hesperia Unified School District’s Hesperia High School was among 21 schools in San Bernardino County to receive state recognition.

California Schools to Watch

Eight of the 52 high-performing California middle-grade schools recognized as 2024 California Schools to Watch are in San Bernardino County.

The Schools to Watch program, offered by the California Department of Education and the California League of Educators at the state level and the National Forum at the national level, seeks to identify and honor schools with middle grades that are academically excellent, developmentally responsive, socially equitable, organized and structured for continuous improvement.

To qualify, each school is required to submit an extensive application and host a site visit by middle-grade experts.

San Bernardino County schools named 2024 California Schools to Watch include:

  • De Anza Middle School, Ontario-Montclair School District

  • Golden Valley Middle School, San Bernardino City Unified School District

  • Mesa View Middle School, Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District

  • Sequoia Middle School, Fontana Unified School District

  • Twentynine Palms Junior High School, Morongo Unified School District

  • Vanguard Preparatory School, Apple Valley Unified School District

  • Vina Danks Middle School, Ontario-Montclair School District

  • William G. Jehue Middle School, Rialto Unified School District

Model Continuation High Schools

Three schools in the county have been recognized as a Model Continuation High School for 2024.

Of the more than 430 continuation high schools throughout California, 31 received state recognition.

The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program honors school sites that are providing comprehensive services to at-risk youth with exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services.

The 31 schools selected retain their Model Continuation High School designation for three years.

Continuation high schools provide a high school diploma program tailored for students who have yet graduated from high school, are required to attend school, or are at risk of not completing their education.

San Bernardino County schools recognized as Model Continuation High Schools for 2024 include:

  • Calico Continuation High School, Silver Valley Unified School District

  • Eric Birch High School, Fontana Unified School District

  • Sierra High School, San Bernardino City Unified School District

The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program is a collaborative partnership between the California Department of Education and the California Continuation Education Association Plus.

For more news and information, visit the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Newsroom at.sbcss.k12.ca.us.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Multiple High Desert schools receive state recognition