The California Department of Education (CDE) recently announced that South Pasadena Middle School (SPMS) has been selected for the prestigious 2026 California Distinguished Schools Program.

“The Distinguished School honor is a testament to the commitment and effort of South Pasadena Middle School's students, staff, and families,” said Superintendent Angela Elizondo Baxter. “SPMS is dedicated to providing excellent educational opportunities that inspire students to discover their passions and succeed.”

The CDE uses multiple measures to identify eligible schools based on their performance on the state indicators as specified on the California School Dashboard. Schools were selected by analyzing data reported through the 2025 Dashboard data, with a focus on schools that are demonstrating excellence and growth in academic achievement and accelerating academic progress for groups that have been historically underserved.

Congratulations to Principal Cheryl Busick and Assistant Principal Michael Mora, and the exceptional teachers, employees, and students at SPMS.

Go, Tiger Cubs!

For more information, contact: South Pasadena Unified School District, [email protected].