PLEASANT HILL, Calif. — Los Cerros Middle School, part of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, has been recognized as one of California’s 2025 Blue Ribbon Schools, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced last week. Los Cerros is among 31 schools statewide to receive this prestigious honor.
The Blue-Ribbon distinction celebrates public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and success in closing opportunity gaps. Although the U.S. Department of Education recently discontinued the National Blue-Ribbon Schools program, Superintendent Thurmond commended the selected schools, their educators, staff, and families for “creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.”
Schools were selected based on overall academic performance or progress in narrowing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Blue Ribbon schools rank among the highest performing in the state, measured by student achievement, subgroup performance, and graduation rates.
“Congratulations to the Los Cerros Middle School community,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “Creating a space where students thrive academically, emotionally, and as a collective is no small task. They have found a winning formula. The achievement and test scores reflect the dedication, research, and innovative teaching practices that are transforming lives. I applaud every member of the school for coming together to make this success possible.”
California Blue Ribbon School honorees will be officially recognized by the California Department of Education and celebrated at the annual California School Recognition Program in spring 2026. This one-time state-level recognition was created to honor certified nominees of the discontinued federal program.
Additional information about the 2025 Blue Ribbon school honorees can be found on the CDE website.
About Contra Costa County Office of Education
One of 58 counties in California, Contra Costa County has the 11th largest public-school student population in the state (approximately 169,394 students). Officially established in 1932, CCCOE has a long history of providing direct services to some of the county’s most vulnerable students, including young people who are incarcerated, homeless, or in foster care, as well as students who have severe physical or emotional challenges.
CCCOE also provides support services to schools and school districts in Contra Costa County; services that can be handled most effectively and economically on a regional basis rather than by each of the county’s 287 schools or 18 school districts. These services range from budget approval and fiscal support to technology infrastructure, communication support, and high-level professional development opportunities for educators. CCCOE maintains a website at www.cocoschools.org
