Luther Burbank Middle Named A California Distinguished School

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — Luther Burbank Middle School was one of over 100 middle and high schools honored as a 2021 California Distinguished School by Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Schools were selected based on performance and progress in select areas such as test scores, suspension rates, conditions and climate. The Distinguished Schools Program recognized schools for their accomplishments in one of two categories: closing the achievement gap, and reaching exceptional student performance.

The award is handed out to middle and high schools every other year.

“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,” Thurmond said. “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.”

Numerous Los Angeles schools also achieved the honor, including Alice C. Stelle Middle School, the Renaissance Arts Academy, and Richard Henry Dana Middle. La Cañada High School was also selected, after the several disadvantaged student groups improved in English and Math.

"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," the California Department of Education wrote in a statement.

The full list of honored schools is available here.