Mill Valley School Captures State Honor

MILL VALLEY, CA — A Mill Valley high school has joined elite company.

Tamalpais High School was among 121 schools named to the list of California Distinguished Schools last month.

The California Department of Education in March initially honored 102 schools. Of the latest additions 120 were high schools and the other a middle school.

The Distinguished Schools Program recognizes schools for their excellent work in one of two categories: closing the achievement gap and achieving exceptional student performance, the CDE said in a statement.

Elementary schools and middle and high schools are recognized in alternate years; therefore, awardees hold the title for two years.

The CDE said its awards are based on performance and progress on state indicators specified on the California School Dashboard, the state’s accountability and continuous improvement system.

Indicators include test scores, suspension rates, and conditions and climate.

The CDE said in a statement it identified these additional schools for this year’s honor after a review of data.

“These additional high schools join the ranks of all 2021 California Distinguished Schools who are being recognized for this distinction because of their exceptional record to provide for all students and their commitment to data-driven efforts that prepare students for college and career,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said in a statement.

“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.”