National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Every year the U. S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels. Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years. The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. The National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing an entry or flying overhead is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.

• Pauba Valley Elementary School - 2020
• Red Hawk Elementary School - 2021

California Gold Ribbon Schools Program

A program that honors some of California's outstanding public schools. Schools that are selected demonstrate exemplary achievements in implementing state standards in priority areas.

8 Gold Ribbon Schools

• Jackson Elementary School—2016
• Bella Vista Middle School—2017
• Gardner Middle School—2017
• Temecula Middle School—2017
• Vail Ranch Middle School—2017
• Chaparral High School—2017
• Great Oak High School—2017
• Temecula Valley High School—2017 

California Distinguished Schools Program

Honors some of California's most exemplary and inspiring public schools. Schools selected for the Distinguished School Award demonstrate significant gains in narrowing the achievement gap.

23 California Distinguished Schools from 1995-2014 (Program changed to Gold Ribbon Schools in 2016)

• 1995
  Red Hawk Elementary School
  Vail Elementary School  
  
  
• 1998
  Paloma Elementary School
  Temecula Elementary School
  
  
• 2001
  Chaparral High School
  Vail Ranch Middle School
  
  
• 2002
  Vail Elementary School
  Vintage Hills Elementary School
  
  
• 2005
  Temecula Valley High School
  Vail Ranch Middle School
  
  
• 2006
  Vail Elementary School
  
  
• 2007
  Day Middle School
  
  
• 2008
  Abby Reinke Elementary School
  Nicolas Valley Elementary School
  
  
• 2009
  Chaparral High School
  Great Oak High School
  
  
• 2010
  Rancho Elementary School
  Temecula Luiseno Elementary School
  
  
• 2012
  Alamos Elementary School
  Nicolas Valley Elementary School
  Paloma Elementary School
  
  
• 2013
  Vail Ranch Middle School
  
  
• 2014
  Tony Tobin Elementary School 

Green Ribbon Schools Award Program

The U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) recognition award honors schools, school districts, and Institutes of Higher Education for excellence in resource efficiency, health, and wellness, and environmental and sustainability education. The recognition award is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education (ED) effort to identify and communicate practices that result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness; and reinforces federal efforts to increase energy independence and economic security.

California K-12 public and private schools, early learning centers, and school districts are eligible to seek ED-GRS nomination from the California Department of Education (CDE). To be considered for an ED-GRS nomination, follow the online application process described in the directions documents below. CDE may nominate up to five schools or districts for ED-GRS. If your school or district is selected as a California nominee, CDE staff will work with you to submit the nominee presentation form and package to ED for consideration. State nominees are announced by CDE in February, confirmed by ED in April, and celebrated in a summer award ceremony.

Application reviews will be based on the applicant's demonstrated progress towards reaching the goals of each of the three ED-GRS Pillars, which are:

Pillar I: Reduce environmental impact and costs
Pillar II: Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff
Pillar III: Provide effective environmental education, which teaches many disciplines, and is especially good at effectively incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways

12 Green Ribbon School/District Awards

• Temecula Valley Unified School District- Gold Award - 2020
• Margarita Middle School - Silver Award - 2020
• LaVorgna Elementary School - Silver Award - 2020
• Barnett Elementary School - Silver Award - 2020
• Temecula Valley High School - Bronze Award - 2019
• Margarita Middle School - Bronze Award - 2019
• Crowne Hill Elementary School - Bronze Award - 2019
• Red Hawk Elementary School - Bronze Award - 2019
• Rancho Vista High School—Gold Award—2018
• Barnett Elementary School—Silver Award—2018
• Paloma Elementary School—Silver Award—2018
• Great Oak High School—Silver Award—2017

California Model Continuation High School Program

• Rancho Vista High School - 2018

California Exemplary Arts Program 

• Great Oak High School - 2017
• Vail Ranch Middle School - 2013

California Exemplary CTE Program

• Vail Ranch Middle School - 2013