Four SFUSD Elementary Schools Named California Distinguished Schools for 2025

San Francisco (March 27, 2025) - Four San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) schools have been named California Distinguished Schools: John Yehall Chin Elementary, Francis Scott Key Elementary, Sunset Elementary, and Chinese Immersion School at De Avila Elementary. 

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that 336 elementary schools have been selected for the prestigious 2025 California Distinguished Schools Program, California’s school recognition program that recognizes two categories of exceptional schools: those Closing the Achievement Gap and those demonstrating Exceptional Student Performance.

Since its inception in 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Award remains one of the state’s most important ways to celebrate exceptional schools, districts, teachers, and classified employees for their innovation, talent, and success in supporting students.

To select California Distinguished Schools, the California Department of Education (CDE) uses multiple measures to identify eligible schools based on their performance on the state indicators as specified on the California School Dashboard (Dashboard). Specifically, schools were selected by analyzing data reported through the 2024 Dashboard, with a focus on demonstrating excellence and growth in academic achievement and ensuring a positive school climate.

The Distinguished Schools program recognizes elementary schools and middle and high schools in alternate years, therefore, awardees hold the title for two years. 

All Distinguished Schools will be recognized at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on May 30, 2025. The entire list of Distinguished Schools can be viewed here: wwww.cde.ca.gov

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