19 California schools, including San Diego’s creative arts magnet, earn 2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Award
On March 23, 2026, California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond honored 19 schools statewide with the California Exemplary Arts Education Award for their commitment to high‑quality, equitable arts programs spanning multiple disciplines and serving diverse student populations.
Key takeaways
- 19 awardees recognized on March 23, 2026 for sustained, systemwide arts learning across elementary, middle and high schools.
- Rigorous criteria: instruction in three or more arts disciplines, credentialed instructors, alignment to state standards, professional learning and demonstrated access for special populations.
- Regional concentration: nine winners are in Los Angeles County; ceremony set for April 24, 2026 in Anaheim.
- San Diego spotlight: the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts is among the honorees, highlighting local arts pathways.
Award details
The California Exemplary Arts Education Award was announced March 23, 2026. The announcement and program overview are available from the California Department of Education news release and the CDE arts education pages describing award criteria and the awardee list.
Timeline: applications ran May 1–Dec. 21, 2025; CDE reviewers evaluated submissions Jan.–Mar. 2026; award announcement March 23 and an award ceremony is scheduled for April 24, 2026 in Anaheim. Coverage and summaries also appear in an Education California summary (Education California / ACSA) and a Los Angeles County release (LACOE).
What the award recognizes
The award spotlights schools demonstrating sustained, systemwide support for arts learning. Applicants must show:
- High-quality arts curriculum, instruction and assessment aligned with the California Arts Standards.
- Instruction in at least three arts disciplines (dance, media arts, music, theatre, visual arts) during the regular school day with credentialed instructors.
- Professional learning for arts staff and culturally responsive instruction accessible to English learners and students with disabilities.
“They play a powerful role in supporting arts programs across our state,” said State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, noting arts education builds empathy, confidence and self-expression.
The 2026 awardees (school — district)
- Claremont High School — Claremont Unified School District
- Delano High School — Delano Joint Union High School District
- Gilroy High School — Gilroy Unified School District
- Crescenta Valley High School — Glendale Unified School District
- Mark Keppel Elementary School — Glendale Unified School District
- Prairie Vista Middle School — Hawthorne School District
- Hesperia High School — Hesperia Unified School District
- ICEF View Park Preparatory High School — ICEF Public Schools (Los Angeles)
- Maywood Center for Enriched Studies — Los Angeles Unified School District
- Mira Costa High School — Manhattan Beach Unified School District
- Palm Middle School — Moreno Valley Unified School District
- Echo Valley Elementary School — North Monterey County Unified School District
- Novato High School — Novato Unified School District
- Orange County School of the Arts — Orange County Board of Education
- C. K. McClatchy High School — Sacramento City Unified School District
- Trabuco Hills High School — Saddleback Valley Unified School District
- Gabrielino High School — San Gabriel Unified School District
- Jefferson Middle School — San Gabriel Unified School District
- San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts — San Diego Unified School District
Investigative look: what earns an arts award
Reviewers assessed written materials and documentation submitted during Jan.–Mar. 2026. Common strong themes in successful submissions included:
- Integrated arts pathways with sequenced courses from elementary through high school.
- Assessed student outcomes demonstrating arts learning and growth.
- Partnerships with local arts organizations and higher education.
- Dedicated funding lines for staffing and materials to sustain arts programming.
The CDE review process and program criteria are summarized on its arts education pages (award criteria).
Gaps in public detail
Public materials list awardees and general criteria but provide limited specifics on:
– comparative budgets and per-student arts spending;
– exact course offerings and long-term sustainability plans;
– post-award accountability or reporting requirements.
Why that matters: advocates and researchers note that without clear financial and programmatic transparency, replicating practices that ensure access for English learners and students with disabilities is more difficult.
Funding and equity questions
While the award requires demonstrated equal access, public announcements do not detail how access is documented. Questions include:
- How do districts measure participation rates for English learners and students with disabilities in elective arts classes?
- Do schools provide schedule accommodations, translation services, or additional instructional supports?
- How are credentialed arts teacher positions and program materials funded long-term?
The mix of Title I and well-resourced campuses among awardees suggests diverse contexts; sustaining quality often depends on steady funding, district priorities and community partnerships.
Ceremony and next steps
Awardees will be celebrated by the California School Recognition Program at a ceremony in Anaheim on April 24, 2026. Applications opened May 1, 2025 and closed Dec. 21, 2025; reviewers evaluated submissions during the first quarter of 2026 before the March announcement. For background and program materials, see the CDE pages on arts education (award criteria) and the Education California / ACSA summary.
Implications for San Diego
Economic impact
Recognition of the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts can attract grants, sponsorships and philanthropic support, potentially creating jobs for credentialed arts teachers and staff within San Diego Unified School District.
Political consequences
The award provides local leaders an evidence-based example to present to voters and stakeholders when discussing budgets and bond measures and may intensify debate about district priorities for arts versus other programs.
Social effects
The award validates programs that support student voice, social-emotional development and cross-cultural learning, reinforcing magnet and arts pathways as academic and career routes for families.
Cultural relevance
San Diego’s theaters, museums and arts organizations can deepen partnerships with SDSCPA, expanding student exposure to professional practice, internships and summer opportunities.
Practical applications for residents
Families may see increased visibility for arts learning during enrollment; teachers and program directors can leverage the award to request community support for materials and field trips, and policymakers may view SDSCPA as a model for directing arts-supplemental funds.
Accountability and future reporting
Local advocates and district leaders are likely to press for more transparent reporting on participation data and budget allocations to ensure arts instruction reaches English learners and students with disabilities at equitable rates.
Sources and links
- California Department of Education news release
- California Department of Education arts education pages (award criteria)
- California Department of Education awardee list
- Education California / Association of California School Administrators summary
- Los Angeles County Office of Education release
Coverage note
The CDE and county offices published the award list and general criteria. Public materials available at the links above did not include detailed district-level budget figures or long-term sustainability plans for each program. Reporters may contact individual school districts or the CDE for program documents, participation data and budget breakdowns ahead of the April 24 ceremony.
