SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced Tuesday that 336 elementary schools were selected for the prestigious 2025 California Distinguished Schools Award. Since its inception in 1985, the award is "one of the state’s most important ways to celebr ate exceptional schools, districts, teachers, and classified employees for their innovation, talent, and success in supporting students," Thurmond's office wrote. The California Distinguished Schools program annually recognizes public schools for two categories: closing the achievement gap and achieving exceptional student performance. Thurmond said, "It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 336 elementary schools for their efforts to provide exemplary public education to all students. Excellent elementary schools play a critical role in the life outcomes of our young people. This year’s California Distinguished Schools celebration provides us with an opportunity to recognize the hard work of our elementary educators and school staff who help our students discover passions and experiences that will propel them." (Photo by Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/ Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images) 2025 California Distinguished Schools San Francisco County: San Francisco Unified, Key (Francis Scott) Elementary San Francisco Unified, Chinese Immersion School at DeAvila San Francisco Unified, Sunset Elementary San Francisco Unified, Chin (John Yehall) Elementary Alameda County: Castro Valley Unified, Independent Elementary Dublin Unified, Harold William Kolb Fremont Unified, John G. Mattos Elementary Livermore Valley Joint Unified, Lawrence Elementary New Haven Unified, Pioneer Elementary Oakland Unified, Lincoln Elementary Oakland Unified, Crocker Highlands Elementary Oakland Unified, Peralta Elementary Alameda Unified, Bay Farm Alameda Unified, Love Elementary Albany City Unified, Ocean View Elementary Berkeley Unified, John Muir Elementary Castro Valley Unified, Palomares Elementary (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) San Mateo County: Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary, Central Elementary Brisbane Elementary, Brisbane Elementary Burlingame Elementary, Hoover Elementary Burlingame Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary Hillsborough City Elementary, North Hillsborough Hillsborough City Elementary, West Hillsborough Hillsborough City Elementary, South Hillsborough Jefferson Elementary, Monticello Elementary Millbrae Elementary, Meadows Elementary San Carlos Elementary, Brittan Acres Elementary San Carlos Elementary, Mariposa Redwood City Elementary, North Star Academy Santa Clara County: Campbell Union, Capri Elementary Campbell Union, Forest Hill Elementary Cupertino Union, Murdock-Portal Elementary Cupertino Union, Chester W. Nimitz Elementary Los Gatos Union Elementary, Daves Avenue Elementary Los Gatos Union Elementary, Lexington Elementary San Jose Unified, Los Alamitos Elementary Santa Clara County Office of Education, Rocketship Fuerza Community Prep Santa Clara Elementary Santa Clara Unified, Washington Open Elementary Sunnyvale, Cherry Chase Elementary (Randall Benton/Sacramento Bee/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) Contra Costa County: Lafayette Elementary, Happy Valley Elementary Moraga Elementary, Los Perales Elementary West Contra Costa Unified, West County Mandarin Moraga Elementary, Donald L. Rheem Elementary San Ramon Valley Unified, John Baldwin Elementary San Ramon Valley Unified, Greenbrook Elementary San Ramon Valley Unified, Neil A. Armstrong Elementary San Ramon Valley Unified, Creekside Elementary Marin County: Novato Unified, Pleasant Valley Elementary Novato Unified, San Ramon Elementary Novato Unified, Loma Verde Elementary Ross Valley Elementary, Brookside Elementary Ross Valley Elementary, Hidden Valley Elementary Sonoma County: Roseland, Roseland Elementary West Side Union Elementary, West Side Elementary Whittier City, Mill School and Technology Academy Napa County: Napa Valley Unified, Donaldson Way Elementary Santa Cruz County: Santa Cruz City Elementary, De Laveaga Elementary ...read more read less