Students in Kevin Gaffield’s second-grade class at Melrose Avenue Elementary School were still studying and working diligently on Tuesday after helping their school become a 2012 California Distinguished School through their Academic Performance Index scores.

Students at the Melrose Avenue Elementary School study on Tuesday afternoon. The school was named a 2012 California Distinguished School, for its high standardized test scores. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

Forty elementary schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) were recently honored with the distinction by the state Department of Education.

The award recognizes exemplary instructional programs and academic excellence.

“These elementary schools are among the best of the best in the Los Angeles Unified School District,” Superintendent John Deasy said. “Their outstanding academic success is a tribute to hard-working students, involved parents, excellent teachers and stellar principals. I would like to congratulate and thank the entire staff and school family at these outstanding campuses, the pride of LAUSD.”

The California School Recognition Program, now in its 26th year, honors the state’s most exemplary and inspiring public schools. Elementary and secondary schools are recognized in alternate years.

Eligibility for the 2012 designation was based on the Academic Performance Index, as well as Adequate Yearly Progress, which charts improvement by subgroups such as family income, ethnicity and language of origin.

Students in every group must demonstrate substantial growth. Winning schools also must narrow the gap between high-and-low achievers.