El Segundo High School (ESHS) was again honored by the California Department of Education under its California Distinguished School program on April 27, 2021 for outstanding education programs and practices.
Schools are awarded for achieving exceptional student performance for two consecutive school years. Distinguished School award winners represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning, and collaboration, but also highly successful school climate efforts ranging from real-time conflict resolution to positive behavior intervention. Amid the backdrop of uncertainty and hardship facing all California schools this past year, this recognition is especially significant.
“It is an honor to be named as a 2021 California Distinguished School. The teachers and staff at El Segundo High School are the backbone of our rigorous and diversified academic program that supports and challenges all of our learners,” said ESHS Principal Melissa Gooden. “El Segundo High School has a long tradition of academic excellence that is a result of reflection, adaptation, professional learning, and our continuous cycles of improvement.”
ESHS was selected based on strong academic achievement, high graduation rate, and its comprehensive Graduate Profile, as well as the school’s robust Career Pathways offered in Engineering, Biomedical Science, Business, and Visual and Performing Arts. The pathways are generously supported and/or funded by community, business and educational partners, such as the El Segundo Education Foundation, Project Lead the Way, High School of Business, Chevron and Murad.
“ESUSD commends the faculty and administration at ESHS on this tremendous achievement,” said El Segundo Unified School District (ESUSD) Superintendent Melissa Moore. “This recognition further affirms their collaborative team efforts and primary focus on student success, while supporting each student’s sense of belonging.”
The California Department of Education identifies and awards eligible schools based on performance and progress on state indicators specified on the California School Dashboard, the state’s accountability and continuous improvement system. Distinguished Schools represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning, and collaboration, but also highly successful, data-driven school efforts ranging from professional development to positive behavior intervention.
“These schools are great examples of California’s commitment to provide outstanding public education for all students, and their data-driven efforts have helped ensure that their students leave with the tools and skills they need to be successful after graduation,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “Our thanks go to the entire communities surrounding these schools, including the teachers, administrators, and classified employees as well as the students and their families who, through teamwork, all accomplished this impressive achievement together.”