19 California schools earn 2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Award; spotlight on funding, access and local support
On March 23, 2026, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced that 19 California schools were honored with the California Exemplary Arts Education Award for providing high-quality, equitable arts instruction across dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts during the regular school day.
- Broad eligibility: Winners demonstrate instruction in at least three arts disciplines and equitable access for special populations.
- Diverse winners: Nineteen campuses — from Title I to well-resourced suburban schools — were selected statewide.
- Local concentration: Nine winners are in Los Angeles County, reflecting sustained county investments and partnerships.
What the award recognizes
The California Exemplary Arts Education Award honors schools that demonstrate a comprehensive, standards-aligned arts program. To qualify, schools must show:
- Instruction in at least three arts disciplines (dance, media arts, music, theatre, visual arts) during the regular school day delivered by credentialed instructors (see California Department of Education — Arts Program Details).
- High-quality arts curriculum, instruction and assessment.
- Professional learning for staff and equitable access for English learners, students with disabilities and other special populations (see California Department of Education — award announcement).
Who won: the 2026 awardees
The 19 recipients represent urban, suburban and rural districts and include:
Claremont High School (Claremont USD); Delano High School (Delano JUHSD); Gilroy High School (Gilroy USD); Crescenta Valley High School (Glendale USD); Mark Keppel Elementary (Glendale USD); Prairie Vista Middle School (Hawthorne SD); Hesperia High School (Hesperia USD); ICEF View Park Preparatory High School (ICEF / LAUSD); Maywood Center for Enriched Studies (LAUSD); Mira Costa High School (Manhattan Beach USD); Palm Middle School (Moreno Valley USD); Echo Valley Elementary (North Monterey County USD); Novato High School (Novato USD); Orange County School of the Arts (OC Board of Education); C.K. McClatchy High School (Sacramento City USD); Trabuco Hills High School (Saddleback Valley USD); Gabrielino High School (San Gabriel USD); Jefferson Middle School (San Gabriel USD); and San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (San Diego USD).
(Award list: California Department of Education — award announcement and list of awardees; additional coverage at Education California / ACSA.)
County concentration and local highlights
Los Angeles County accounts for nine winners — a concentration county officials link to long-standing investments from districts, community partners and philanthropies. LA County winners include Crescenta Valley High, Mark Keppel Elementary, Prairie Vista Middle, ICEF View Park Prep, Maywood Center for Enriched Studies, Mira Costa High, Gabrielino High, Jefferson Middle and Claremont High.
Notable local distinction: Crescenta Valley High was the 2024 LA County Poetry Out Loud champion, showing how extracurricular success can overlap with curricular strength (Los Angeles County Office of Education).
Superintendent Thurmond’s remarks and state rationale
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond framed the awards as recognition of schools that use arts education to build empathy, confidence and voice. He said: “It is my honor to congratulate these 19 schools for the powerful role they play in supporting arts programs across our state. These dynamic learning environments are where students have the opportunity to explore their creativity and strengthen their voices.”
(See Education California / ACSA and California Department of Education.)
Investigating funding, staffing and local support
The announcement raises practical questions for taxpayers and parents who want accountability and results:
- How are the programs funded? Winners include Title I campuses with limited local revenue and suburban schools with robust district/community support. Likely funding models include district general funds, grants, parent fundraising and occasional arts levies or bonds. The state notes awardees demonstrated adequate resources, but the public listing does not detail each campus’s revenue streams (California Department of Education — award program details).
- Who teaches the arts? Eligibility requires instruction by credentialed instructors aligned to California Arts Standards, indicating districts allocated staffing rather than relying on extracurricular volunteers (see California Department of Education — Arts Program Details).
- What accountability exists? Applications show curriculum, assessment and professional learning; the review occurred over several months, but award materials do not mandate follow-up audits. Parents and boards should ask how gains are measured and whether funding is sustained in lean years.
Community partnerships matter
Many successful arts programs rely on community and business partnerships to stretch dollars. For example, the Orange County School of the Arts has a long history of private and community support that sustains specialized programming without large permanent tax increases — a model some conservative communities prefer (California Department of Education).
Why arts education matters for workforce and civic readiness
Supporters say arts education builds discipline, creativity and communication — skills employers seek. Framing arts programs as investments in discipline, civic engagement and workforce readiness can broaden support beyond enrichment arguments. Thurmond ties arts to confidence and voice, but local leaders should pursue concrete academic and post-graduation outcome measures.
Application and selection timeline
The application opened May 1, 2025, closed December 21, 2025. Reviewers evaluated submissions January–March 2026. Announcement: March 23, 2026. Award celebration: California School Recognition Program Ceremony, Anaheim, April 24, 2026 (California Department of Education — Arts Program Details; Education California / ACSA).
Implications for Huntington Beach, California
Local leaders and families in Huntington Beach Unified School District can use the award criteria as a checklist: multi-discipline offerings, credentialed instructors and documented professional learning. Conservative parents may press for reallocating existing funds, public-private partnerships or targeted grants rather than broad tax increases.
Key local actions:
- Review district course offerings and credentialing levels for arts instructors.
- Pursue community partnerships and targeted fundraising to expand offerings without permanent tax hikes.
- Track measurable outcomes: participation, course completion, staffing and post-graduation indicators to demonstrate return on investment.
- Ensure equitable access for English learners and students with disabilities, including transportation and fee waivers.
Sources and further reading
- California Department of Education — award announcement and list of awardees
- California Department of Education — award program details and eligibility
- California Department of Education — arts program information
- Education California / ACSA coverage
- Los Angeles County Office of Education — LA County winners note
Reporting compiled from California Department of Education and county education office announcements and program materials cited above.
