McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas is strengthening student belonging through Caring Campus, creating an environment where every student feels welcomed and empowered to succeed from the moment they step onto campus.Through a dedication to the Caring Campus behavioral commitments, intentionality during the first week of school, and small but meaningful strategies which show students that employees care, McLennan is creating a culture where every student can thrive. Known at the college as McLennan Always Cares, this work reflects a campuswide commitment to fostering connection and belonging for every student.
Lynwood Unified School District has been named one of 12 school districts in the nation to receive the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) K–12 Student Agency Award, a national recognition honoring districts leading thoughtful, ethical and student-centered approaches to AI in education. The award was presented at the Student and Community Voice AI Summit, held in March in Anaheim, where educators, students and school leaders from across the country gathered to discuss the future of AI in schools.
A.B. Miller High School has been recognized as a 2026 California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education (CDE), highlighting its commitment to academic achievement and closing achievement gaps. The CDE selects California Distinguished Schools based on data reported on the California Dashboard, recognizing schools that show significant progress in academic performance, student engagement, and school culture and climate, using state indicators such as English language arts and math performance, graduation rates, and suspension rates.
In celebration of Earth Day, Cypress Elementary School will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil its newly revitalized campus garden. The restoration was a community effort between Fontana Unified School District families and staff, SoCalGas, Kellogg, and Lowe’s, each of whom donated time and resources to transform the space into an outdoor learning area. The garden will provide students with opportunities to explore sustainability, learn about the stages of food production, and develop an understanding of where their food comes from.
Bonita Unified School District’s two middle schools – Lone Hill and Ramona – have been designated as 2026 California Distinguished Schools by the California Department of Education (CDE) for their efforts to narrow the achievement gap and provide equity in education for every student.
Both Ramona and Lone Hill middle schools, which are among 408 middle and high schools recognized by the CDE this year, have previously earned the Distinguished School designation. The program recognizes schools that are among the highest in the state for academic achievement; successful in closing the achievement gap; or serving rural and Title I communities and demonstrating exceptional outcomes. Eligibility for the honor was determined using metrics from the 2025 California School Dashboard data.
Las Palmas Middle School students are developing bilingual, biliteracy, and bicultural skills in the school’s Spanish Dual Immersion program, opening doors to expanded opportunities in higher education and future careers. The dual immersion journey begins early at Manzanita Elementary School, where students enter the program in transitional kindergarten. By the time they arrive at Las Palmas, students are already multilingual and ready for a more rigorous, in-depth curriculum taught in Spanish. The program continues into Northview High School, where students further refine their skills and ultimately graduate with the Seal of Biliteracy.
State Sen. Eloise Reyes recognized Fontana Adult School citizenship teacher Lynnette Browning as a Woman of Distinction during the 10th annual Woman of the Year event on April 10 for her passion in helping immigrants prepare for their naturalization interview and becoming United States citizens. As Fontana Adult School’s citizenship teacher since 2018, Browning has seen extraordinary results. During the 2023-24 school year, 53 students passed their U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) exam to become citizens. The number rose to 57 during the 2024-25 school year. Thus far in the 2025-26 school year, 19 students have become citizens, with three students waiting to take their oaths and more than 65 students waiting for a USCIS appointment date.
When Whittier High School senior Maggy Guerrero was a young girl, she watched do-it-yourself videos and created handmade projects while dreaming of someday becoming a civil engineer. Joining Whittier High’s Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) as a freshman, Guerrero quickly established herself as a top student, with a goal of attending an elite university. Guerrero received the surprise of a lifetime when representatives from Edison International came to her Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) classroom on March 31 and, in front of her family and friends, announced her as a 2026 Edison Scholar. Guerrero received a $50,000 scholarship, making her one of just 30 Southern California students chosen for the prestigious award this year.
At age five, Agustin Ramon and his family left Mexico and arrived in the United States, leaving all they knew for a chance at a better life while navigating a language barrier that proved to be a daily struggle. Ramon, now a Lynwood High School senior, overcame those early challenges with the support of his family and the Lynwood Unified community, building confidence in the classroom and setting his sights on a future in the tech industry. His resilience and academic achievements were recognized on March 20, when he was named an Edison Scholar and awarded a $50,000 scholarship.
Covina-Valley Unified School District empowers students to challenge themselves academically through advanced programs and college-level courses that allow them to earn college credit and begin building their futures while still in high school. At Covina High School, students can participate in both the longstanding dual enrollment program and the newly launched Early College Pathway (ECP), two opportunities that allow them to earn college credit while completing their high school education. These programs give students a head start on their college journeys while helping families save time and money on future coursework.
