EUREKA, CA — Academy of the Redwoods (AR) was formally recognized as a 2026 California Distinguished School during a statewide awards ceremony held at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on Friday, April 24, 2026.

Principal Jack Millsap and teacher/advisor Gini Wozny traveled to Anaheim to accept the honor on behalf of the AR community and to participate in the statewide recognition ceremony hosted by the California Department of Education. During the event, they met with California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond alongside representatives from distinguished schools across the state.

AR was one of 408 middle and high schools selected for the prestigious distinction, one of California’s highest honors for public schools. The California Distinguished Schools Program recognizes campuses that demonstrate exceptional student outcomes and exemplary educational programs.

As part of the recognition, AR  received an official California Distinguished Schools award and commemorative banner honoring the school’s achievement. In celebration of the honor, all AR staff members, along with team members of the Fortuna Union High School District, received commemorative jackets recognizing the accomplishment and the collaborative effort behind the award.

The California Distinguished Schools Program, established in 1985, recognizes schools based on measures that include academic achievement, graduation rates, college and career readiness, and positive school climate indicators. Schools are selected using data from the California School Dashboard.

Academy of the Redwoods is an early college high school partnership between the Fortuna Union High School District and College of the Redwoods, providing students the opportunity to complete high school coursework while earning transferable college credit.