LCUSD Elementary Schools Make Distinguished List

^{First published in the Feb. 2 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.}

All three elementary schools in the La Cañada Unified School District — La Cañada Elementary, Palm Crest Elementary and Paradise Canyon Elementary — were named California Distinguished Schools for 2023.
The results came out on Jan. 6, when the California Department of Education announced the results statewide. Only 356 elementary schools in the state were honored.

Superintendent Wendy Sinnette presented to the LCUSD board the good news during the Jan. 17 meeting.
“[The year] 2023 is off to a great start,” said Sinnette.
The public elementary schools were picked based on their hard work, dedication and resilience, according to the California Department of Education website. The department uses the California School Dashboard to evaluate the school’s data, which includes assessment results, chronic absenteeism, suspension rates and socioeconomic data.
La Cañada 7/8 has also been recognized and is being redesignated as a California School to Watch for 2023. Schools to Watch is a national network of more than 600 middle schools in 17 states, Sinnette said. It is one of the highest distinctions that any middle school may receive.
“We are extremely proud of the significant recognition bestowed upon our elementary and middle schools for 2023,” said Sinnette.
To see the full list of elementary schools honored, visit cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr23/yr23rel01.asp.