19 California Schools Win 2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Awards; Hesperia High Among Honorees
Tony Thurmond announced March 23, 2026, that 19 schools — including nine in Los Angeles County and Hesperia High — won the 2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Award for high-quality, equitable arts instruction across elementary, middle and high schools.
Key takeaways
- 19 schools were honored statewide for arts programs spanning at least three disciplines and inclusive access.
- Nine winners are in Los Angeles County; Hesperia High is among the honorees.
- Questions remain about funding sources, participation rates and outcomes for special populations.
Main story
Award announcement and criteria
On March 23, 2026, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond named 19 schools as recipients of the 2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Award. The recognition goes to schools that provide instruction in at least three arts disciplines during the regular day — dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts — and that ensure access for special populations including English learners and students with disabilities (California Department of Education press release).
What the award recognizes
The program honors schools with:
- Strong arts curriculum and clear instruction/assessment;
- Meaningful professional learning for teachers;
- A demonstrated commitment to equity, ensuring students in special populations have equal opportunities to participate in arts classes (CDE release).
Who made the list
The 19 awardees span elementary, middle and high schools across the state. Some serve mostly Title I populations; others have strong district/community support. The full list of winners follows, with principals and districts as reported (California Exemplary Arts Education Awardees list):
- Claremont High School, Claremont Unified School District (Principal: James Mitchell) (Source: awardees list)
- Delano High School, Delano Joint Union High School District (Dolores Rodriguez) (Source: awardees list)
- Gilroy High School, Gilroy Unified School District (Julie Beggren) (Source: awardees list)
- Crescenta Valley High School, Glendale Unified School District (Christine Benitez) (Source: awardees list)
- Mark Keppel Elementary School, Glendale Unified School District (Jaclyn Scott) (Source: awardees list)
- Prairie Vista Middle School, Hawthorne School District (Sandra MacKellar) (Source: awardees list)
- Hesperia High School, Hesperia Unified School District (Michael Everett) (Source: awardees list)
- ICEF View Park Preparatory High School, ICEF Public Schools (Shuron Owens) (Source: awardees list)
- Maywood Center for Enriched Studies, Los Angeles Unified School District (Salvador Torres) (Source: awardees list)
- Mira Costa High School, Manhattan Beach Unified School District (Jennifer Huynh) (Source: awardees list)
- Palm Middle School, Moreno Valley Unified School District (Hilary Reynolds) (Source: awardees list)
- Echo Valley Elementary School, North Monterey County Unified School District (Jacob Gile) (Source: awardees list)
- Novato High School, Novato Unified School District (Michelle Cortez) (Source: awardees list)
- Orange County School of the Arts, Orange County Board of Education (Maria Lazarova) (Source: awardees list)
- C. K. McClatchy High School, Sacramento City Unified School District (Andrea Egan) (Source: awardees list)
- Trabuco Hills High School, Saddleback Valley Unified School District (Alicia Foulk) (Source: awardees list)
- Gabrielino High School, San Gabriel Unified School District (Vince Lopez) (Source: awardees list)
- Jefferson Middle School, San Gabriel Unified School District (Sandra Alley) (Source: awardees list)
- San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, San Diego Unified School District (Timothy Farson) (Source: awardees list)
Los Angeles County concentration
Nine of the winners are located in Los Angeles County, which state and local officials point to as evidence of strong arts programming in the region (Los Angeles County Office of Education news release).
State Superintendent’s comment
“It is my honor to congratulate these 19 schools for the powerful role they play in supporting arts programs across our state,” Thurmond said. “These dynamic learning environments are where students have the opportunity to explore their creativity and strengthen their voices.” (CDE release)
Investigative questions: funding, access and outcomes
While the awards highlight strong programs, several transparency gaps remain that taxpayers and local leaders should press on:
- Funding sources: The announcement does not list dollar amounts or whether programs rely on district budgets, grants, private donations or parent fundraising (CDE release).
- Participation and outcomes: Public data on student participation rates, frequency of arts instruction, and longer-term outcomes (graduation, careers) were not provided (awardees list).
- Service to special populations: The release requires equitable access but lacks details on accommodations, staffing ratios or subgroup enrollment in arts classes (CDE release).
Why this matters: Conservative-minded taxpayers who prioritize fiscal accountability and measurable results will want clear budgets, participation metrics and documented outcomes to judge the value of continued or expanded arts funding.
Local angle: Hesperia High and Hesperia Unified
Hesperia High School (Principal Michael Everett) is one of the 19 awardees. For Hesperia residents, the recognition brings local pride and potential leverage in budget discussions.
- Visibility: The award places Hesperia High on a statewide list alongside well-known arts programs, helping boosters and partners see the school as a community asset.
- Budget discussions: Leaders can use the recognition to argue for maintaining or increasing arts funding, but should publish clear budgets showing funding sources and sustainability.
- Recruitment and retention: Strong arts offerings can help retain students and teachers, reducing turnover costs and supporting career pathways.
- Equity at neighborhood level: The district should publish subgroup enrollment in arts classes to show whether English learners and students with disabilities truly have equal access.
Ceremony and recognition
Awardees will be honored at the California School Recognition Program ceremony in Anaheim on April 24, 2026. The event, part of Arts Education Month activities, offers schools a chance to showcase programs to peers, donors and policymakers (ACSA Education California article).
What to watch next
- Local districts, including Hesperia Unified, should publish arts budgets and participation statistics to answer questions about cost, reach and sustainability (awardees list).
- Community partners may be asked to support programs; clear public reporting on partnerships and benefits will be important for voters.
- State officials could provide outcome data on graduation, attendance and postsecondary choices to justify ongoing investment (CDE release).
Sources and further reading
- California Department of Education press release, March 23, 2026
- California Exemplary Arts Education Awardees list
- ACSA Education California article on winners
- Los Angeles County Office of Education news release
Note: The article preserves reported facts and source links; readers seeking deeper fiscal and participation data should request budgets and enrollment breakdowns from local districts and the California Department of Education.
