More than a dozen schools in Contra Costa County were named to the 2026 California Distinguished Schools list by the state Department of Education. 

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond revealed that 13 schools in the county were recognized among the 408 middle and high schools around the state in the annual list of high performers. 

The schools do not apply for the recognition but are selected from pre-existing metrics, including achievements in three major category of student success, such as markers among top ranking students; measurements for closing gaps between low and high scoring students; and hitting benchmarks for low income and rural students, according to a news release from the Contra Costa County Office of Education on Friday. 

County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey called the high number of schools recognized a “significant achievement.” 

“I commend the teachers, administrators, and support staff whose dedication fosters student success,” Mackey said in a statement. “The learning environments you’ve and shaped help our youth discover their potential. These campuses serve as a model for school communities across our county.” 

Schools were recognized in six of the county’s 18 school districts. 

The most were in San Ramon Valley Unified School District, and included Charlotte Wood, Diablo Vista, Iron Horse, Los Cerros, Pine Valley, and Stone Valley Middle Schools, along with San Ramon Valley High School. 

Miramonte High School, in the Acalanes Union High School District; Liberty High School, in the Liberty Union High School District; and Martinez Junior High School, in the Martinez Unified School District, were also recognized. 

In the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Diablo View and Pleasant Hill middle schools made the list. 

Middle College High School, in West Contra Costa Unified School District, was also recognized. 

The schools are given the title based on measures that track success in areas such as English language, arts and math, reduced suspension rates and graduation rates, among others. 

The county has 287 schools and serves about 170,000 students, according to the Office of Education.