The high school soccer team is one of the outstanding elements of Larchmont Charter School, was recently named a California Distinguished School. (photo courtesy of Larchmont Charter School)

Larchmont Charter School was one of nine Los Angeles Unified School District schools recently named 2023 California Distinguished Schools.

Along with Larchmont Charter, Balboa Gift/High Ability Magnet Elementary, Canyon Charter Elementary, Goethe International Charter, Granada Hills Charter, Richland Avenue Elementary, Renaissance Arts Academy, Science Academy and STEM Magnet and Westwood Charter Elementary all earned the distinction.

The prestigious designation was awarded to 350 elementary schools to celebrate exceptional schools, districts, teachers and classified employees for their innovation, talent and success in supporting students. According to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, the schools recognized are illustrative of “the hard work, dedication, and resilience shown by educators and schools across the state after communities struggled for multiple years with urgent effects to physical and mental health and unprecedented challenges to delivering education.”

“Congratulations to the nine Los Angeles Unified schools selected as 2023 California Distinguished Schools,” LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “It is because of the exceptional work of educators, staff, families and school communities that our district has some of the highest performing schools in the state. Los Angeles Unified will be the premier urban school district in the nation, led by our California Distinguished Schools.”

Since 1985, California Distinguished Schools have been selected by the state based on assessment results, chronic absenteeism, suspension rates and socioeconomic data.

“Congratulations to our nine 2023 California Distinguished Schools,” LAUSD Board of Education President Kelly Gonez said. “We know this achievement would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of school administrators, staff, teachers and parents at each of these schools. Together, they’ve shown that our schools are rigorous, exciting and innovative learning spaces for students