American Canyon, CA — Donaldson Way Elementary School in American Canyon has been named a California Distinguished School by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. The prestigious award, announced on Wednesday, recognizes schools for their exceptional performance and dedication to providing quality education. Donaldson Way Elementary was honored in the category of “Closing the Achievement Gap,” a distinction that underscores the school’s success in improving educational outcomes for historically underserved student groups.
The California Distinguished Schools Program recognizes outstanding schools in two categories: those closing achievement gaps and those demonstrating exceptional student performance. This year, more than 300 schools statewide received the award, with Donaldson Way being among the select few.
Thurmond expressed his pride in the honorees, saying, “It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 336 elementary schools for their efforts to provide exemplary public education to all students. Excellent elementary schools play a critical role in the life outcomes of our young people.” He also emphasized that the recognition highlights the hard work of educators and staff who help students discover passions that shape their futures.
The celebration will culminate in an awards ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on May 30, where the distinguished schools will be formally recognized. The event is part of the California School Recognition Program, which showcases the innovation, talent, and success of educators and students across the state.
Donaldson Way Elementary’s achievement comes after a rigorous selection process, based on performance data from the California School Dashboard. Schools that qualify for the “Closing the Achievement Gap” recognition have demonstrated significant growth in key academic areas, including English Language Arts (ELA) and math, for student groups that have historically experienced achievement disparities. In addition, the school must maintain strong overall outcomes for all students, with a focus on positive school climate and high participation in statewide assessments.
The Dashboard for Donaldson Way Elementary indicated a “green” status for its suspension indicator, reflecting zero student suspensions, and “yellow” indicators for significant progress in other key areas, including ELA and math achievement. These results are a testament to the school’s commitment to fostering an environment where all students can thrive.
As part of the award process, schools must also meet specific criteria, including enrolling a significant percentage of students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Donaldson Way Elementary, which meets these criteria, has made impressive strides in narrowing achievement gaps and ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds have access to quality education.
The California Distinguished Schools Award is a two-year title, with elementary schools being recognized in alternate years. It remains one of the state’s most significant ways to celebrate schools, teachers, and staff who are committed to educational excellence.
Donaldson Way Elementary’s success will be celebrated at the upcoming Disneyland ceremony, marking a well-deserved recognition for a school that has gone above and beyond in providing a high-quality education to all students. The community of American Canyon can take pride in this outstanding achievement, which reflects the dedication of the school’s educators and the hard work of its students.
This recognition serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in education and supporting schools in their efforts to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed.