Middle College High School was recently named a 2026 California Distinguished School, marking a repeat achievement for the institution.
The school operating at Contra Costa College additionally earned this distinction in 2019, 2021 and 2024, representing every year the school was eligible for the title since 2019. It is frequently the only high school in the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) to receive the honor. Middle College was also named a National Blue Ribbon School and earned a spot in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025–2026 Best High Schools rankings.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced the Distinguished Schools this week. In total, 408 middle and high schools were recognized statewide. To earn this distinction, schools must demonstrate excellence in one of three specific categories: Exemplary High Achievers, Achievement Gap Closers, or Beacons of Opportunity.
Qualifying schools are identified through the California School Dashboard based on performance metrics such as graduation rates, college and career readiness, and assessment scores. Schools must also maintain at least a 95 percent participation rate in statewide assessments and show positive school climate indicators, including low rates of suspension and chronic absenteeism.
Middle College High School is a unique collaboration between the WCCUSD and Contra Costa College. Located directly on the college campus, the school allows high school students to take college-level courses concurrently with their secondary education requirements. This model provides students with a head start on their higher education goals, often allowing them to graduate with both a high school diploma and an Associate degree or significant college credit.
The California Distinguished Schools Program was established in 1985 to celebrate public schools that display innovative and successful approaches to supporting student achievement. The program alternates recognition between elementary schools and secondary schools each year, with the 2026 cycle focusing on middle and high schools. This year’s awardees will be officially recognized during a ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on April 24, 2026.