By: Arnav Singhal

Sports Editor

In March, the California Department of Education (CDE) awarded Los Gatos High School one of the most prestigious awards given to an educational institution. On Apr. 24, each honored school’s administration traveled to Southern California and stayed at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim to be honored for their achievements over the past year. The CDE recognized these schools as 2025 California Blue Ribbon and 2026 Green Achievers.

The program awards schools across two distinct categories. The first of which is the Exemplary High Achievers award, given to schools that place in the highest academic percentile. The other category is the Achievement Gap Closer award, for schools that demonstrate significant progress in bridging the academic gap between two or more underrepresented minorities, while also maintaining exemplary academic achievement for all students. 

California School Recognition Program (CSRP) initiated the award in 1985. To qualify for the award, schools must achieve a 95% participation in the California School Dashboard, the state’s accountability system. 

Although mostly unchanged, the program implemented a three-year pause from 2015 to 2017, during which the CDE used the California Gold Ribbon designation. Then, in 2022, the CDE created a California Pivotal Practice Award, which honors schools for displaying impeccable achievement and innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Nevertheless, next year the program plans to implement a third category for achievement under the “Beacons of Opportunity” banner. This category will honor rural schools that distinguish themselves at very high performance levels. This year, the program honored a total of 408 schools, but through the implementation of a new category, the hope is to recognize as many schools as possible. 

For LGHS, the award serves as both a recognition and encouragement for their educators to continue building a learning environment that challenges students academically while supporting their personal growth into adulthood. The California Department of Education included the school among three honored Bay Area high schools and recognized Fisher Middle School alongside it.

Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District Superintendent Heath Rocha acclaimed the award as “a testament to the dedication of our students, staff, administrators, and families, and their shared commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. We are incredibly proud of the work being done every day in our district to support all learners.” 

With this recognition, LGHS continues to set a high standard for education, innovation, and achievement in California education. 

(Sources: California School Dashboard, CDE, and LGSUHSD)