Awards and Recognitions

John Burroughs Middle School

Excellence in Education

Awards & Accolades

A Tradition of Excellence, Recognized Nationally and Statewide

John Burroughs Middle School is a nationally and statewide recognized learning community with a distinguished history of academic excellence, innovative instruction, student achievement, and leadership. Our school has earned prestigious honors from national educational organizations and California recognition programs, reflecting our commitment to rigorous academics, inclusive learning environments, student well-being, and continuous improvement.

These recognitions celebrate the collective accomplishments of our students, educators, families, and school community. From academic achievement and innovative educational practices to student leadership and positive school culture, each award reflects our shared commitment to preparing every student for success in college, career, and life.

Our Awards & Recognitions

Celebrating Success

Award Seal	Award, Organization & Recognition
	Magnet School of Excellence 2026, 2023, 2018 \| National Recognition Presented by: Magnet Schools of America Magnet Schools of America is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing high-quality magnet education, educational opportunity, and school integration. Its Magnet School of Excellence designation is the highest category in the organization's annual merit awards program. The recognition honors magnet schools demonstrating exceptional academic achievement, innovative curriculum and instruction, diversity and integration, effective leadership, and meaningful family and community engagement. John Burroughs Gifted & Highly Gifted Magnet earned this prestigious national distinction in 2026, 2023, and 2018, reflecting its longstanding commitment to rigorous and enriching gifted education.
	National Gold Star School 2026 \| National Recognition Recognition associated with: National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) The National Gold Star School recognition celebrates a school's commitment to educational excellence, student achievement, and leadership. John Burroughs Middle School received this recognition in 2026, adding to its history of national honors. The award reflects the school's continued focus on creating a supportive learning environment, promoting student success, and encouraging academic and personal growth.
	California Distinguished School 2026 \| State Recognition Presented by: California Department of Education The California Distinguished Schools Program recognizes public schools for exemplary educational practices and outstanding student performance. The program highlights schools that demonstrate strong academic achievement and effective approaches to supporting student learning. John Burroughs Middle School's 2026 recognition reflects its commitment to rigorous instruction, academic excellence, and creating opportunities for students to achieve at high levels.
	California PBIS Platinum Implementation Award 2026, 2025 \| State Recognition Presented by: California PBIS Coalition The California PBIS Recognition System honors schools for implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), an evidence-based framework that promotes positive behavior, supportive learning environments, and student well-being. Platinum is the highest implementation recognition level, acknowledging schools that demonstrate exemplary systems and practices. John Burroughs Middle School earned Platinum recognition in both 2025 and 2026, demonstrating sustained schoolwide commitment to positive school culture, student support, and continuous improvement.
	Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2018 \| California Honor Roll Presented by: Educational Results Partnership Educational Results Partnership is a nonprofit organization that uses student achievement data to identify and recognize high-performing schools. Its Honor Roll highlights schools demonstrating strong academic outcomes and success in advancing student learning. John Burroughs Middle School has earned this recognition six times, including five consecutive years from 2022 through 2026. This sustained achievement reflects the dedication of educators and students to high academic expectations, effective instruction, and continuous improvement.
	Magnet School of Distinction 2025 \| National Recognition Presented by: Magnet Schools of America Magnet Schools of America presents the Magnet School of Distinction Award to magnet schools demonstrating high standards of academic excellence, innovative curriculum, diversity and integration, strong leadership, and meaningful community involvement. As part of the organization's national merit awards program, this designation recognizes schools that provide high-quality educational experiences aligned with the principles of magnet education. John Burroughs Gifted & Highly Gifted Magnet received this honor in 2025, continuing its tradition of national recognition for gifted education.
	U.S. News & World Report Best Middle Schools 2025 \| National Publication Recognition Recognized by: U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report publishes national rankings and evaluations of public middle schools using measures of student achievement and performance on state assessments. Its Best Middle Schools recognition highlights schools demonstrating strong academic outcomes. John Burroughs Middle School's inclusion in the 2025 rankings reflects its commitment to rigorous instruction, high academic expectations, and helping students build a strong foundation for high school and future educational success.
	California Schools to Watch 2023, 2019 \| State Recognition Presented through: California Schools to Watch Program California Schools to Watch recognizes high-performing middle schools that demonstrate academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and effective organizational structures. The program celebrates schools that address the academic and developmental needs of young adolescents while creating supportive and inclusive learning communities. John Burroughs Middle School received this recognition in 2019 and again in 2023, reflecting its continued commitment to providing a rigorous, engaging, and developmentally appropriate middle school experience.
	California PBIS Silver Implementation Award 2023 \| State Recognition Presented by: California PBIS Coalition The California PBIS Silver Implementation Award recognizes schools demonstrating effective implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. PBIS establishes schoolwide expectations, reinforces positive behavior, and uses data and collaborative practices to strengthen student support systems. John Burroughs Middle School earned Silver recognition in 2023, reflecting its commitment to creating a positive, inclusive school climate. This recognition preceded the school's advancement to Platinum status in 2025 and 2026.
	California Gold Ribbon School 2017 \| State Recognition Presented by: California Department of Education The California Gold Ribbon Schools Program recognized public schools implementing exemplary educational practices that support student learning and achievement. The program highlighted innovative and effective approaches to instruction, school improvement, and educational opportunity. John Burroughs Middle School received this recognition in 2017, reflecting its longstanding dedication to academic excellence and the development of effective practices that support student success.
	Title I Academic Achievement Award 2017 \| State Recognition Presented by: California Department of Education California's Title I Academic Achievement Award recognized schools serving economically disadvantaged student populations that demonstrated strong academic performance and progress toward student achievement goals. The recognition highlighted schools that successfully supported student learning while working to improve educational outcomes. John Burroughs Middle School earned this distinction in 2017, reflecting its commitment to academic opportunity, effective instruction, and student success.

At John Burroughs Middle School, excellence is more than an achievement. It is a shared commitment to every student's success.

Award Seal	Award, Organization & Recognition
	Magnet School of Excellence 2026, 2023, 2018 \| National Recognition Presented by: Magnet Schools of America Magnet Schools of America is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing high-quality magnet education, educational opportunity, and school integration. Its Magnet School of Excellence designation is the highest category in the organization's annual merit awards program. The recognition honors magnet schools demonstrating exceptional academic achievement, innovative curriculum and instruction, diversity and integration, effective leadership, and meaningful family and community engagement. John Burroughs Gifted & Highly Gifted Magnet earned this prestigious national distinction in 2026, 2023, and 2018, reflecting its longstanding commitment to rigorous and enriching gifted education.
	National Gold Star School 2026 \| National Recognition Recognition associated with: National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) The National Gold Star School recognition celebrates a school's commitment to educational excellence, student achievement, and leadership. John Burroughs Middle School received this recognition in 2026, adding to its history of national honors. The award reflects the school's continued focus on creating a supportive learning environment, promoting student success, and encouraging academic and personal growth.
	California Distinguished School 2026 \| State Recognition Presented by: California Department of Education The California Distinguished Schools Program recognizes public schools for exemplary educational practices and outstanding student performance. The program highlights schools that demonstrate strong academic achievement and effective approaches to supporting student learning. John Burroughs Middle School's 2026 recognition reflects its commitment to rigorous instruction, academic excellence, and creating opportunities for students to achieve at high levels.
	California PBIS Platinum Implementation Award 2026, 2025 \| State Recognition Presented by: California PBIS Coalition The California PBIS Recognition System honors schools for implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), an evidence-based framework that promotes positive behavior, supportive learning environments, and student well-being. Platinum is the highest implementation recognition level, acknowledging schools that demonstrate exemplary systems and practices. John Burroughs Middle School earned Platinum recognition in both 2025 and 2026, demonstrating sustained schoolwide commitment to positive school culture, student support, and continuous improvement.
	Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2018 \| California Honor Roll Presented by: Educational Results Partnership Educational Results Partnership is a nonprofit organization that uses student achievement data to identify and recognize high-performing schools. Its Honor Roll highlights schools demonstrating strong academic outcomes and success in advancing student learning. John Burroughs Middle School has earned this recognition six times, including five consecutive years from 2022 through 2026. This sustained achievement reflects the dedication of educators and students to high academic expectations, effective instruction, and continuous improvement.
	Magnet School of Distinction 2025 \| National Recognition Presented by: Magnet Schools of America Magnet Schools of America presents the Magnet School of Distinction Award to magnet schools demonstrating high standards of academic excellence, innovative curriculum, diversity and integration, strong leadership, and meaningful community involvement. As part of the organization's national merit awards program, this designation recognizes schools that provide high-quality educational experiences aligned with the principles of magnet education. John Burroughs Gifted & Highly Gifted Magnet received this honor in 2025, continuing its tradition of national recognition for gifted education.
	U.S. News & World Report Best Middle Schools 2025 \| National Publication Recognition Recognized by: U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report publishes national rankings and evaluations of public middle schools using measures of student achievement and performance on state assessments. Its Best Middle Schools recognition highlights schools demonstrating strong academic outcomes. John Burroughs Middle School's inclusion in the 2025 rankings reflects its commitment to rigorous instruction, high academic expectations, and helping students build a strong foundation for high school and future educational success.
	California Schools to Watch 2023, 2019 \| State Recognition Presented through: California Schools to Watch Program California Schools to Watch recognizes high-performing middle schools that demonstrate academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and effective organizational structures. The program celebrates schools that address the academic and developmental needs of young adolescents while creating supportive and inclusive learning communities. John Burroughs Middle School received this recognition in 2019 and again in 2023, reflecting its continued commitment to providing a rigorous, engaging, and developmentally appropriate middle school experience.
	California PBIS Silver Implementation Award 2023 \| State Recognition Presented by: California PBIS Coalition The California PBIS Silver Implementation Award recognizes schools demonstrating effective implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. PBIS establishes schoolwide expectations, reinforces positive behavior, and uses data and collaborative practices to strengthen student support systems. John Burroughs Middle School earned Silver recognition in 2023, reflecting its commitment to creating a positive, inclusive school climate. This recognition preceded the school's advancement to Platinum status in 2025 and 2026.
	California Gold Ribbon School 2017 \| State Recognition Presented by: California Department of Education The California Gold Ribbon Schools Program recognized public schools implementing exemplary educational practices that support student learning and achievement. The program highlighted innovative and effective approaches to instruction, school improvement, and educational opportunity. John Burroughs Middle School received this recognition in 2017, reflecting its longstanding dedication to academic excellence and the development of effective practices that support student success.
	Title I Academic Achievement Award 2017 \| State Recognition Presented by: California Department of Education California's Title I Academic Achievement Award recognized schools serving economically disadvantaged student populations that demonstrated strong academic performance and progress toward student achievement goals. The recognition highlighted schools that successfully supported student learning while working to improve educational outcomes. John Burroughs Middle School earned this distinction in 2017, reflecting its commitment to academic opportunity, effective instruction, and student success.