This week’s Marin local education news shines a light on three county middle schools—Hall, Adaline E. Kent, and Miller Creek. They’ve been named 2026 California Distinguished Schools.
The California Department of Education announced the awards. They recognize high achievement, narrowed gaps, and strong performance in rural or Title I communities.
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Here in Marin, these three schools join a statewide group of 408 middle and high schools. They’re being celebrated for their commitment to student growth and family partnerships.
A formal recognition ceremony is coming up in Anaheim later this month. That’s a big deal for everyone involved.
Three Marin middle schools earn 2026 California Distinguished School honors
The California Distinguished Schools program shines a spotlight on Marin County schools that stand out in different ways. Miller Creek and Adaline E. Kent Middle Schools landed in the Exemplary category, while Hall Middle School was recognized for closing achievement gaps.
Across Marin—from the waterfronts of Sausalito and Tiburon to the hills of Fairfax and Mill Valley—students, teachers, and families are putting in the work. The 2026 honorees will celebrate in Anaheim this April, but you can already feel the excitement in places like Novato and downtown San Rafael.
What the awards signify
The California Distinguished Schools designation honors campuses that show either exemplary achievement, progress in closing gaps, or strong results in rural and Title I areas. In Marin, this recognition highlights rigorous instruction, targeted support, and deep community involvement. It’s all about keeping students at the center of learning.
Miller Creek Middle School: notable growth and student-driven learning
Miller Creek Middle School, tucked in the Ross Valley near San Rafael, earned an Exemplary distinction for measurable student growth on the 2025 California School Dashboard. The school posted some impressive numbers: 18.4 points up in English language arts, 23.2 points higher in math, and a 6.9% jump in English learner progress.
Principal Erin Dinday and math teacher Fran MacKenzie say it’s all about strategic, creative instruction and a focus on independent problem-solving. In neighborhoods like San Rafael’s Creekside and nearby Fairfax, families are noticing the shift toward student-led inquiry that keeps kids engaged.
- Gains: ELA +18.4, Math +23.2, ELP +6.9% (2025 Dashboard)
- Approach: creative instruction, independent problem-solving
- Community impact: strong engagement in Ross Valley and neighboring Marin towns
Adaline E. Kent Middle School: learning-centered teaching and family partnerships
Adaline E. Kent Middle School picked up the Exemplary designation for its innovative, learning-centered teaching and strong family partnerships. Principal Grant Althouse and Superintendent Raquel Rose point to a collaborative culture that helps students hit ambitious goals.
Parents in places like San Anselmo and Corte Madera talk about a shared sense of purpose for their middle-schoolers. It’s a vibe that’s catching on.
- Category: Exemplary
- Qualities cited: innovative, learning-centered teaching and family partnerships
- Notable support: Marin communities from Larkspur to San Rafael
Hall Middle School: progress for historically underserved students
Hall Middle School earned recognition in the achievement-gap category this year. The school made meaningful progress for historically underserved students.
Students with disabilities posted some of the biggest gains among all groups. In ELA, they improved by 29.1 points, and in math, by 26 points.
Latino students at Hall outperformed the state standard in ELA by 16.2 points. They also saw a 4.1-point improvement in math year over year.
Hall’s history of recognition is honestly pretty impressive. The school has been named a California Distinguished School seven times since 1990, and in 2021, represented California as a National Distinguished School.
- Category: Achievement Gap
- Gains for students with disabilities: ELA +29.1, Math +26
- Latino performance: ELA +16.2 points above state standard; Math: +4.1
- History: CDS seven times since 1990; 2021 National Distinguished School representative for California
Marin County communities from Tamalpais to the Bay Area are celebrating these accomplishments. The 2026 California Distinguished Schools honorees will be recognized at a ceremony in Anaheim on April 24, and plenty of families from San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, and Larkspur are already looking forward to it.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin middle schools earn top state honors
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