Nineteen California schools win 2026 California Exemplary Arts Education awards; questions raised about funding and equity
Hesperia, California (High Desert News Online) – State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced March 23, 2026, that 19 California public schools won the California Exemplary Arts Education Award, recognized for strong arts curriculum and equitable access; winners will be honored in Anaheim on April 24, 2026.
Key takeaways
- 19 schools statewide were selected for high-quality arts curriculum, professional learning and inclusive access.
- Eligible schools must teach in at least three arts disciplines during the regular school day and show access for English learners and special education students.
- Recipients include Title I neighborhood schools and well-funded suburban and specialized arts schools, prompting questions about funding sources and sustainability.
- The awards are celebrated April 24, 2026, in Anaheim and may help winners attract partners or local investment.
What the award recognizes
The California Exemplary Arts Education Award spotlights schools that provide high-quality arts curriculum, instruction and assessment; offer ongoing professional learning for arts staff; and ensure culturally responsive arts opportunities for all students, including English learners and students with disabilities.
Eligible schools must teach in at least three arts disciplines — dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts — during the regular school day and demonstrate access for special populations. For the state criteria and awardee list see the state list of awardees and program criteria.
Thurmond’s office described winners as “dynamic learning environments” where students can “explore their creativity and strengthen their voices.”
Who was honored
The 19 award-winning schools represent elementary, middle and high schools across diverse districts. The list released by state officials and education partners includes:
- Claremont High School, Claremont Unified School District
- Delano High School, Delano Joint Union High School District
- Gilroy High School, Gilroy Unified School District
- Crescenta Valley High School, Glendale Unified School District
- Mark Keppel Elementary School, Glendale Unified School District
- Prairie Vista Middle School, Hawthorne School District
- Hesperia High School, Hesperia Unified School District
- Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF) View Park Preparatory High School, Los Angeles Unified School District
- Maywood Center for Enriched Studies, Los Angeles Unified School District
- Mira Costa High School, Manhattan Beach Unified School District
- Palm Middle School, Moreno Valley Unified School District
- Echo Valley Elementary School, North Monterey County Unified School District
- Novato High School, Novato Unified School District
- Orange County School of the Arts, Orange County Board of Education
- C. K. McClatchy High School, Sacramento City Unified School District
- Trabuco Hills High School, Saddleback Valley Unified School District
- Gabrielino High School, San Gabriel Unified School District
- Jefferson Middle School, San Gabriel Unified School District
- San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, San Diego Unified School District
(Compiled from state and education partner announcements.)
County concentration and school leadership
Nine of the selected schools are in Los Angeles County, highlighting a Southern California concentration during Arts Education Month. Local announcements list principals and district leaders; examples include Timothy Farson at San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and James Symonds overseeing Gabrielino High and Jefferson Middle School.
See regional reporting and partner summaries at Los Angeles County Office of Education coverage and the EdCal article on the 2026 awardees.
Investigating how schools met criteria — funding, staffing and access
The award emphasizes not only the presence of arts classes but the quality of instruction and equitable access. That raises questions about how schools with different budgets and student needs meet the criteria. Awardees include Title I schools and well-funded suburban or specialized programs.
Key investigative questions for reporters and civic leaders:
- Funding sources: Are professional learning and staffing paid from district general funds, categorical arts grants, or private/philanthropic partnerships?
- Staffing and training: What professional development is provided and who pays for it?
- Access measurement: How do districts document equal access for English learners and students with disabilities during the school day?
The state announcement confirms professional learning and access as criteria but does not require public disclosure of funding breakdowns; local follow-up is necessary. See the state press release at the California Department of Education press release for the official statement.
Equity and access for special populations
The award requires equal opportunities for English learners, special education students and other special populations to participate in arts programming during the regular school day — not just after school.
Outstanding clarifying questions include:
- Does “equal access” mean proportional enrollment by subgroup?
- Are necessary accommodations (adapted instruments, interpreters, visual aides) consistently provided for performances and instruction?
- How do schools document culturally responsive curricula and measure participation?
Where these programs began and how they are sustained
Origins: Some recipients, like Crescenta Valley High and the Orange County School of the Arts, have long-established arts traditions. Neighborhood schools often rely on district prioritization, community partnerships and grants to start programs.
Sustainability risks: Recognition highlights strong practice, but budget pressures, enrollment shifts and competing priorities can erode staffing and course offerings. The Anaheim ceremony on April 24, 2026, offers visibility that may help attract partners or funding.
Accountability and outcomes
The award centers on program quality rather than standardized test scores. Potential outcome metrics to track for policy and funding decisions include attendance, graduation rates, college matriculation in arts fields and student self-reports of engagement and well-being.
The recognition documents practices but does not impose uniform outcome reporting across districts — an important caveat for stakeholders seeking measurable returns on investments in arts education.
Event and implications for The High Desert, California
Hesperia High School in The High Desert is among this year’s awardees. Local implications include:
- Economic: Recognition can attract grants, donors and partnerships to supply instruments, stage gear and facility upgrades.
- Political: Elected leaders may cite the award when arguing for sustained or reallocated funding for arts within constrained budgets.
- Social and cultural: Culturally responsive arts instruction can improve participation among English learners and underrepresented groups and strengthen community ties.
Practical follow-ups for local teams: inventory staff professional learning, verify scheduling that guarantees daytime arts instruction, and document accommodations for special populations — and consider partnerships that fund durable goods to maximize long-term benefit.
Event and recognition details
The California School Recognition Program Ceremony honoring these schools will take place in Anaheim on April 24, 2026. The event is part of the state’s effort to elevate successful school practices and encourage replication of effective arts programs.
Sources and further reading
- California Department of Education press release
- EdCal article on the 2026 awardees
- Los Angeles County Office of Education coverage
- State list of awardees and program criteria
For local reporting teams and civic leaders in The High Desert: the Anaheim ceremony on April 24 provides an opportunity to ask district officials how recognition will translate into sustained support and measurable student benefits.
