Every year, the California Department of Education (CDE) honors schools across the state for outstanding academic achievement through their California School Recognition Program (CSRP). Hundreds of public middle and high schools in California are reviewed to hold the honorable title of a California Distinguished School. This year, on March 10, our very own Canyon High School was named as one of six distinguished schools in the William S. Hart District, and one of 408 in the state!

The eligibility requirements for being named as a California Distinguished School include two categories: exemplary high achievers, which are schools who rank the highest in the state based on academic achievement, and achievement gap closers, which are schools that are accelerating academic progress for underserved groups. Canyon was recognized for being the latter.

The Association of California School Administrators explains that schools do not apply for this award; data is pulled “through the California statewide accountability system for public schools, the California School Dashboard. The 2026 California Distinguished Schools were determined using data from the 2025 California School Dashboard.” Using 2025 data, Canyon’s math and reading scores increased 8% and 23% respectively compared to previous years, helping us stand out as an achievement gap closer.

In an interview, Canyon principal Ms. Shellie Holcombe explained that the real driving factor in closing our achievement gap is our “hardworking staff. They ensure that all learners, and I mean all learners, are achieving at high levels.”

Canyon wasn’t the only school recognized in Santa Clarita. In the William S. Hart District as a whole, six middle and high schools were named as Distinguished Schools: Academy of the Canyons, Canyon High School, Castaic High School, La Mesa Junior High School, Saugus High School, and West Ranch High School. Canyon High School, though, stood out as having the highest academic growth in the entire district. From updating curriculums to implementing new learning strategies, Canyon has been making big changes with how its students receive a well-rounded education.

Since the CSRP started recognizing schools in 1985, Canyon has never been recognized as a Distinguished School until this year. This achievement proves that our school is succeeding in updating our curriculums in a beneficial way.

In the words of Principal Holcombe, “Canyon is doing exactly what it needs to do to better support every student that attends here.” And that’s the goal at the end of the day: to see every student succeed—a mission that Canyon is clearly achieving with flying colors (of green and gold)!