Three schools in Butte County are among 293 middle and high schools honored as 2024 California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education.
In the announcement made Thursday, Chico Junior High, Inspire School of Arts and Sciences and Durham Intermediate were included among the exceptional schools statewide and recognized for “closing the achievement gap and demonstrating exceptional student performance.”
The schools recognized this year are “illustrative of the persistence and promise of California’s students, educators, and schools” and for “demonstrating excellence and growth in academic achievement and ensuring a positive school climate,” said the Department of Education press release.
Schools recognized for exceptional student performance where chosen based on achieving exemplary performance in English language arts and math, reducing suspensions and, in high schools specifically, demonstrating high graduation rates.
Schools recognized for closing the achievement gap made the list by enrolling at least 40% of their students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and, in addition to demonstrating exemplary overall performance in English and math, achieved accelerated academic growth for one or more historically underserved student groups, according to the release.
The 2024 California Distinguished Schools will be recognized in a ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on May 3, 2024.
