Five Monterey County schools make 2025 California Distinguished Schools list

Five elementary schools in Monterey County have been named 2025 California Distinguished Schools, an honor awarded to just 336 schools across the state this year.

Three of the schools are in Soledad Unified School District: Rose Ferrero Elementary, Gabilan Elementary and Jack Franscioni Elementary.

“We are incredibly proud to see three of our schools recognized with this prestigious honor,” County Superintendent Randy Bangs said. “This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and families, who strive to create schools where all students can succeed."

"Congratulations to Gabilan, Jack Franscioni, and Rose Ferrero elementary schools for their outstanding commitment to excellence,” he added.

The other two Monterey County schools are Spreckels Elementary in the Spreckels Union Elementary School District and Washington Elementary in Washington Union Elementary School District.

Soledad Unified School District schools marked for excellence

Gabilan, Jack Franscioni, and Rose Ferrero elementary schools earned the distinction for their strong academic performance, positive school climate, and efforts to close achievement gaps, according to Soledad district officials.

"Rose Ferrero is a great place to work and a great place for students to learn and be ready for the next grade level," said Carrie Sebora, director of curriculum, instruction and technology for the district. "By earning these types of recognition—top CAASPP scores in the district and now being a CA Distinguished School—it gives the staff and students more confidence in themselves and adds to our belief that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to."

CAASPP is a state test for English/Language Arts and Math, and Rose Ferrero's scores have been the highest in the district for the past three years, said Sebora, putting the school in the top quartile of Monterey County schools.

This year, Gabilan Elementary School piloted "Saturday School Academy" to provide further instruction, support and practice for CAASPP testing, Sebora said.

Outside the classroom, Gabilan has put a focus on cultivating and nurturing a positive school climate and culture by celebrating and recognizing positive character traits through initiatives like Positive Office Referrals, student of the month assemblies, hero award and perfect attendance recognition and trimester awards.

Staff and administration greet and welcome students on a daily basis, Sebora said, and events like monthly "cafecitas" with parents, and community building activities with all staff help to foster a culture of inclusion.

"At Jack Francioni, our commitment is to ensure that we are supporting the whole child," Sebora said. "Our school has implemented a strong intervention system for literacy, which ensures that students struggling with literacy skills receive the support they need to develop their reading, writing, and comprehension skills."

Sebora said the district has worked very hard to foster collaboration with a focus on data and best practices that support all students.

"We strive to create a welcoming learning environment for all by building positive relationships with students and families, ensuring everyone feels safe and supported," she said.

The California Department of Education selects honorees based on multiple performance indicators from the California School Dashboard, including student outcomes in English language arts and mathematics, as well as engagement and attendance metrics.

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Distinguished schools hold the title for two years

The schools hold the title for two years because the lists alternate every year between elementary, middle, and high schools.

In 2024, 293 middle and high schools were recognized with the distinction.

“It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 336 elementary schools for their efforts to provide exemplary public education to all students," said Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction in a news release. "Excellent elementary schools play a critical role in the life outcomes of our young people."

The award started in 1985 and has been the state's way of recognizing educators, staff, administration, and students for their hard work, the release says.

The recognized schools will be honored at a ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on May 30, 2025.

Ernesto Centeno Araujo contributed to this report

This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Five Monterey County schools on California Distinguished Schools list