On February 29, 2024, Taft Charter High School won the California Distinguished Schools award for being one of the most distinguished schools in California.

The California Distinguished Schools program of the California Department of Education awarded 293 schools, including 51 schools in LAUSD, one being Taft.

The California Distinguished Schools award is awarded to schools that achieve good performance with low opportunity gaps between different groups of students.

According to the California Department of Education, “California Distinguished Schools Award remains one of the state’s most important ways to celebrate exceptional schools, districts, teachers, and classified employees for their innovation, talent, and success in supporting students.”

The award’s impact is that it recognizes students and teachers for their hard work and contribution to achieving academic success.

The program was established in 1985 and has been awarded to schools every two years. However, the next award will be announced in 2026, so Taft will be considered a distinguished school for the next two years unless they win the award again in 2026, earning them the title for an additional two years.

Taft responded to winning the award with an Instagram post congratulating Taft students and staff for their contribution to winning the California Distinguished Schools award. “Congratulations Toreadors!! Once again we have been recognized by the state as a 2024 California Distinguished School!! We are so proud of all of our students and staff that made this possible!!”

Mr. Derry, a government and economics teacher at Taft, was not surprised that Taft won the award again this year and thinks that is what makes our school so amazing. He said, “I think it’s a great recognition, especially for our students. This wouldn’t have been possible without their commitment, work, perseverance, and skills”.

Mr. Derry also noted the value of the recognition,“when people are looking for schools, one of the things that they are looking for is whether or not the school won the California Distinguished School Award because it indicates we’re doing quality work and it recognizes the hard work of students and teachers for their skills and commitment to the school by the state of California’s standards.”