Four Kern County Schools Named 2025 California Distinguished Schools

Four Kern County elementary schools have been named 2025 California Distinguished Schools, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced this week. The annual program recognizes top-performing public schools across the state for excellence in closing achievement gaps and demonstrating exceptional student performance.

The honored Kern schools are:

• Norris Elementary (Norris Elementary School District)
• Ronald Reagan Elementary (Panama-Buena Vista Union School District)
• Golden Oak Elementary (Richland Union Elementary School District)
• Westpark Elementary (Southern Kern Unified School District)

These local schools are among only 336 elementary campuses statewide to receive the prestigious recognition this year.

“It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 336 elementary schools for their efforts to provide exemplary public education to all students. Excellent elementary schools play a critical role in the life outcomes of our young people,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “This year’s California Distinguished Schools celebration provides us with an opportunity to recognize the hard work of our elementary educators and school staff who help our students discover passions and experiences that will propel them.”

The California Distinguished Schools program, which began in 1985, rotates annually between elementary and secondary schools. Recipients hold the title for two years. Schools earn the distinction in one of two categories:

• Closing the Achievement Gap: Recognizing schools that serve a high percentage of socioeconomically disadvantaged students and have made significant academic growth.
• Exceptional Student Performance: Honoring schools with the highest academic achievement and positive school climate indicators across all student groups.

To qualify, schools must have achieved top ratings — “green” or “blue” — on the California School Dashboard in areas like English Language Arts, math, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rates. They must also have maintained high student participation in state assessments for the past two years.

The honorees, including Kern’s four standout schools, will be recognized in a statewide celebration at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on May 30, 2025.