Award-Winning Schools

Boy sitting at desk in classroom with PBIS medals in front of him

National Awards

National Blue Ribbon Schools**

School	Years Awarded
Andersen Elementary	1988
Corona del Mar High School	1985, 1998
Davis Magnet	2021
Early College High School*	2023
Harbor View Elementary	1986, 2001
Lincoln Elementary	1999
Mariners Elementary	2007
Newport Harbor High School	2000
Victoria Elementary	2007

* Also recognized as a 2023 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Lighthouse Award School for exemplary student achievement and instructional practices.

** U.S. Department of Education ended the program in 2025.

U.S. Department of Education: Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding Leadership

Educator	Year Awarded
Christy Flores Principal, Davis Magnet	2021

U.S. News and World Report

Best High Schools

School	Years Awarded
Corona del Mar High School	2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Costa Mesa High School	2020, 2021, 2023
Early College High School	2019, 2020, 2021, 2025
Estancia High School	2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2025
Monte Vista Independent Study	2023
Newport Harbor High School	2020, 2021, 2023, 2025

Best Elementary Schools

School	Years Awarded
Andersen Elementary School	2024, 2025

The Washington Post: America's Most Challenging High Schools

School	Year
Estancia High School	2017

AP School Honor Roll

School	Recognition Level and Years Awarded
Corona del Mar High School	Gold with Access: 2023, 2024; Gold: 2025
Costa Mesa High School	Bronze with Access: 2023; Bronze: 2024; Silver: 2025
Estancia High School	Bronze: 2025
Newport Harbor High School	Bronze with Access: 2024; Silver: 2025

State Awards

California Distinguished Schools*

School	Years Awarded
Adams Elementary	2025
Andersen Elementary	1987, 2002, 2008, 2014
California Elementary	2006, 2020
Corona del Mar High School	1988, 1996, 2007, 2024
Early College High School	2009, 2019, 2021, 2026
Eastbluff Elementary	2008, 2014
Ensign Intermediate	2001
Estancia High School	2024
Harbor View Elementary	2000, 2008, 2014
Kaiser Elementary	2000, 2025
Killybrooke Elementary	2000, 2008, 2020
Lincoln Elementary	1997, 2006, 2014
Mariners Elementary	2006, 2014
Newport Coast Elementary	2010, 2014, 2018**
Newport Elementary	1989, 2012
Newport Harbor High School	1986, 1999, 2005
Newport Heights Elementary	2014
Paularino Elementary	2010, 2020
Pomona Elementary	1987
Sonora Elementary	1989, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2020
TeWinkle Middle School	1996
Victoria Elementary	2000, 2006
Woodland Elementary	2014

*Hiatus from 2015-2017; replaced with Gold Ribbon (two-year award)
**Also received the Exemplary Arts Award

Gold Ribbon Awards*

School	Year Awarded
Andersen Elementary	2016
Davis Magnet	2016
Early College High School	2015
Eastbluff Elementary	2016
Harbor View Elementary	2016
Kaiser Elementary	2016
Killybrooke Elementary	2016
Lincoln Elementary	2016
Mariners Elementary	2016
Paularino Elementary	2016
Pomona Elementary	2016
Sonora Elementary	2016
TeWinkle Middle School	2017
Woodland Elementary	2016

*Program ended in 2017

California Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) Coalition*

School	Recognition Level and Years Awarded
Adams Elementary	Platinum: 2024, 2025 Silver: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 Bronze: 2016
Andersen Elementary	Gold: 2019 Silver: 2016, 2017
Back Bay High School	Silver: 2016, 2017, 2018
California Elementary	Silver: 2025 Bronze: 2016
College Park Elementary	Gold: 2025 Silver: 2017 Bronze: 2016
Corona del Mar High School	Platinum: 2022, 2025
Costa Mesa Middle and High School	Platinum: 2025 Bronze: 2016
Davis Magnet	Platinum: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Gold: 2019, 2021 Silver: 2016, 2017, 2018 Community Cares: 2020
Early College High School	Platinum: 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 Gold: 2025 Bronze: 2017, 2018 Community Cares: 2020
Eastbluff Elementary	Platinum: 2019 Silver: 2025 Silver: 2016, 2018
Estancia High School	Silver: 2017
Harbor View Elementary	Gold: 2025 Silver: 2018
Kaiser Elementary	Silver: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2025 Bronze: 2016
Killybrooke Elementary	Platinum: 2023 Gold: 2025 Silver: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 Bronze: 2016 Community Cares: 2020
Lincoln Elementary	Gold: 2019, 2022 Silver: 2017, 2018 Bronze: 2016 Community Cares: 2020
Mariners Elementary	Platinum: 2023, 2024, 2025 Silver: 2022 Bronze: 2017
Newport Coast Elementary	Platinum: 2017, 2019 Gold: 2018, 2025
Newport Elementary	Silver: 2025
Newport Harbor High School	Silver: 2022
Newport Heights Elementary	Silver: 2016, 2025 Bronze: 2017
Paularino Elementary	Gold: 2017, 2019 Silver: 2016, 2018, 2025
Pomona Elementary	Gold: 2024 Silver: 2025 Bronze: 2016
Rea Elementary	Platinum: 2025 Gold: 2023 Silver: 2016, 2018, 2019
Sonora Elementary	Platinum: 2025 Gold: 2024
TeWinkle Middle School	Gold: 2025 Silver: 2016, 2017, 2018 Bronze: 2019
Victoria Elementary	Silver: 2025 Bronze: 2016, 2018
Whittier Elementary	Gold: 2025 Bronze: 2016, 2017, 2022
Wilson Elementary	Silver: 2019, 2025 Community Cares: 2020
Woodland Elementary	Platinum: 2025 Gold: 2024

*For the 2019-2020 school year, the PBIS Coalition launched a different version of the awards program, Community Cares.

California Department of Education Model Continuation School

School	Years Awarded
Back Bay High School	2010, 2013, 2016, 2026

Title I Academic Achievement Awards

School	Years Awarded
College Park Elementary	2007
Killybrooke Elementary	2009, 2010, 2016
Paularino Elementary	2016
Pomona Elementary	2009, 2016
Sonora Elementary	2009, 2016
Victoria Elementary	2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

California Honor Roll Schools*

School	Years Awarded
Adams Elementary	2023, 2025
Andersen Elementary	2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
California Elementary	2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Corona del Mar High School	2021
Costa Mesa High School	2018
Davis Magnet	2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Early College High School	2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024, 2025
Eastbluff Elementary	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Ensign Intermediate	2023, 2024, 2025
Estancia High School	2021
Harbor View Elementary	2023, 2024, 2025
Kaiser Elementary	2023, 2024, 2025
Killybrooke Elementary	2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Mariners	2024, 2025
Newport Elementary	2023
Newport Coast Elementary	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Newport Harbor High School	2019, 2021, 2024
Newport Heights Elementary	2019, 2023, 2024
Paularino Elementary	2018, 2019, 2021
Sonora Elementary	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Victoria Elementary	2024

*Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE)

California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Championships

School	Number of Championships	Notes
Corona del Mar High School	266	Team Wins: 143 Individual Wins: 123
Costa Mesa High School	50	Team Wins: 17 Individual Wins: 33
Estancia High School	48	Team Wins: 18 Individual Wins: 30
Newport Harbor High School	208	Team Wins: 77 Individual Wins: 131

* Includes state titles

District-Wide Recognition

California School Board Association (CSBA) Golden Bell

Program	Year Awarded
Graduation Coach Program	2023
Data Dashboards	2016
Bus in the Classroom	2016
Psychological Support Services Programs	2016
Costa Mesa High School Business Academy	2012
Credit Recovery	2011
Harper Preschool Inclusion Program	2005

California Honor Roll District*

Year Awarded
2023

District Administration - District of Distinction

Program	Year Awarded
Psychological Support Services Programs	2016

Communication Awards

Organization and Award Title	Year
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Tactics, Infographic - NMUSD Communications Guide	2026
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Tactics, Excellence in Writing - Back Bay Students Set Sail While Gaining Skills, Confidence, and College Credits Through Hands-On Maritime Elective	2026
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Tactics, Excellence in Writing - Whittier Elementary Cooking Enrichment Class Visits Newport Harbor’s Award-Winning Culinary Arts Program	2026
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Tactics, Excellence in Writing - Community Collaboration Makes Waves with Swim and Water Safety Program	2026
California School Public Relations Association Award of Merit: Comprehensive Program or Campaign, Marketing/Branding Campaign - Estancia High School Marketing and Rebrand	2026
California School Public Relations Association Award of Merit: Tactics, Video Produced In-House - Yesenia Rosales - Classified Employee of the Year	2026
National School Public Relations Association Golden Achievement Award: School Marketing Toolkit	2025
National School Public Relations Association Golden Achievement Award: FAFSA Marketing Campaign	2025
National School Public Relations Association Publication Writing Award of Excellence: Mobile Maintenance Crew Spruces Up Learning Environments, One School at a Time	2025
Orange County Press Club Best Food Story, Sponsored Content, Second Place: Students Learn to Make Healthy Choices Thanks to Nutrition Lessons	2025
Orange County Press Club Best News Story, Sponsored Content, Third Place: Students Navigate the World in Annual Geography Bee at Lincoln Elementary	2025
Orange County Press Club Best Feature Story, Sponsored Content, Third Place: Student-Led News Crews Build Skills and Confidence Through Elementary School Broadcasts	2025
Orange County Press Club Best Music/Entertainment Story, Sponsored Content, Third Place: Costa Mesa Student Releases Independent Album Using School’s Music Tech Lab	2025
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Comprehensive Program or Campaign - FAFSA Marketing Campaign	2025
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Tactics, Social Media - School Board Recognition Month	2025
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Tactics, Excellence in Writing - Students Navigate the World in Annual Geography Bee at Lincoln Elementary	2025
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Tactics, Excellence in Writing - Mobile Maintenance Crew Spruces Up Learning Environments, One School at a Time	2025
California School Public Relations Association Award of Merit: Tactics, Excellence in Writing - Back Bay Intramural Sports Encourages Teamwork, Promotes Positive School Environment	2025
National School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence - District Brag Sheet	2024
National School Public Relations Association Award of Merit - Read Across Newport Mesa	2024
National School Public Relations Association Honorable Mention - Here's to the Future Graduate Campaign	2024
National School Public Relations Association Honorable Mention - Glimpse Into the Classroom Social Media Campaign	2024
National School Public Relations Association Honorable Mention - Digital Citizenship Social Media Campaign	2024
Orange County Press Club Best Arts/Culture Story or Review, Sponsored Content, Second Place - Costa Mesa Students Create Special Artwork for Young Ukrainian Refugees	2024
Orange County Press Club Best Feature Story, Sponsored Content, Third Place - Careers With Children Internship	2024
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Comprehensive Program or Campaign - Social Media Campaign - Digital Citizenship	2024
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Tactics - Marketing Publication - NMUSD Brag Sheet	2024
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Comprehensive Program or Campaign - Social Media Campaign - Glimpse Into the Classroom	2024
California School Public Relations Association Award of Merit: Comprehensive Program or Campaign - Social Media Campaign - Here's to the Future	2024
California School Public Relations Association Award of Merit: Tactics - Video - Read Across Newport Mesa	2024
Orange County Press Club Best News Feature Story, Sponsored Content, First Place - Back Bay Spyder Lab	2023
Orange County Press Club Best Arts/Culture Story, Sponsored Content, Honorable Mention - Recess Art	2023
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Tactics - Feature/Editorial Writing - Back Bay Spyder Lab	2023
California School Public Relations Association Award of Merit: Comprehensive Program or Campaign - Social Media Campaign - #WhereIsWes Social Media Campaign	2023
California School Public Relations Association Award of Merit: Tactics - Multimedia Visual Communication	2023
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Multimedia/Visual Communication - Career Technical Education Video	2022
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Multimedia/Visual Communication - Career Technical Education Social Media Campaign	2022
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Multimedia/Visual Communication - Stand Out Student \| School Hero Video Series	2022
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Multimedia/Visual Communication - College & Career Social Media Campaign	2022
Public Relations Society of America (Inland Empire Chapter) Polaris Award - Long form video - Career Technical Education Video	2021
California Public Information Officer Association Award of Merit - Early College High School video	2021
California School Public Relations Association Award of Merit: Tactics - Multimedia/Visual Communication - Dual Immersion Programs Promotional Video	2021
California School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence: Tactics - Crisis Communication/Issues Management - District Defeats Anti-Semitism through Student Education and Community Dialogue	2020
California School Public Relations Association Award of Merit: Tactics - Multimedia/Visual Communication - Early College High School video	2020
Public Relations Society of America (Inland Empire Chapter) Polaris Award - Long form video - Early College High School video	2019

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