Santa Ana Unified board celebrates three schools named California Distinguished Schools

The Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education honored three campuses — Godinez, Middle College and MacArthur — for receiving California Distinguished School recognition, praising principals, staff and parents for work that district leaders said opens opportunities for students.

Superintendent Dr. Perez opened the recognition portion of the meeting by calling the awards “a recognition of a lifetime,” and credited intentional leadership and teamwork for the honors. Board President Breazer Ecevis also acknowledged the district’s ties to the Gabrielino Tongva Nation and the Wanyeno Band of Mission Indians, Ahachiman Nation before turning to the recognitions.

Principal Church, speaking for Godinez High School, credited parents, counselors and classified staff for the school’s outcomes and highlighted the school’s dual-enrollment program. Principal Church said the school expects about 35 students this year to complete at least one year of college while in high school, and noted low suspension rates and strong attendance as part of the school’s success.

Principal Voigt and Principal Warner spoke for Middle College. Principal Voigt described Middle College as a longstanding dual-enrollment program and said, "Last year, 94 percent of the students in the senior class left school with an AA degree." Principal Warner added that Middle College will have 89 seniors graduating with an associate degree this year, with 58 earning two or more associate degrees and "a 100% of them" considered college- and career-ready.

Principal Gonzales told the board that MacArthur returned to higher performance under a veteran staff and that this marks MacArthur’s fifth California Distinguished School recognition and its first in 19 years. Gonzales thanked district leadership for allowing the school to try programs tailored to the campus.

Board members offered congratulations: Board Member Magdaleno called the campus communities central to success; Board Member Levsak and Board Member Dr. Alvarez praised principals for leadership and long-term service; and Board Member Bustos framed the recognitions as an example of the district’s strength and community pride.

The board recessed for a short celebration and photo opportunity with dessert in a nearby training room. The board reconvened briefly and announced it would move into closed session to consider personnel matters; the meeting record shows no reportable action from closed session and the meeting was adjourned. The board announced its next regular meeting will be held on 05/19/2026 at 6:00 p.m.

Sources: Comments and remarks recorded in the Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education meeting transcript.