Westminster School District Celebrates Helen Stacey Middle School at the 2026 California Distinguished Schools Ceremony
April 28, 2026
On Friday, April 24, 2026, Westminster School District joined educators, students, and families from across California at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim for the 2026 California Distinguished Schools Ceremony — and at the center of that celebration was Helen Stacey Middle School.
Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D., Principal Dr. Rick Nichols, and Board Clerk Mrs. Frances Nguyen, along with other district leaders, were among those in attendance as Stacey was formally recognized as a 2026 California Distinguished School — Achievement Gap Closer. For the Stacey community, the moment carried particular weight. This was not the first time the school had stood in that room. It was the third — having earned the same recognition in 2021 and 2024.
The atmosphere in the room reflected the significance of the occasion. When Helen Stacey Middle School was called to the stage, the pride was visible in the faces of the staff who have dedicated years to this work, and in the district leaders who made the trip to Anaheim to stand alongside them. It was a celebration that felt both well-earned and deeply personal.
"Helen Stacey Middle School has accomplished something rare in public education — they have sustained excellence over time and done it for the students who need it most," said Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D., Superintendent of Westminster School District. "This third recognition is a reflection of a school that never stopped raising the bar, even after earning it the first time. Westminster School District is incredibly proud of this community."
What the Recognition Means
California operates the largest public school system in the United States. Of its thousands of middle and high schools, the California Department of Education selected 408 for Distinguished School recognition in 2026 — roughly three percent of all eligible secondary schools statewide.
Schools do not apply for this honor. Every school's data is automatically reviewed, and those with high suspension rates or chronic absenteeism are disqualified before a single name is considered. What remains is a short list of schools that earned their place entirely on outcomes. Helen Stacey Middle School has appeared on that list three times.
The Achievement Gap Closer designation carries its own significance within that select group. It is reserved specifically for schools that accelerate academic progress for two or more historically underserved student groups, including English learners, students with disabilities, and students from low-income families while maintaining above-median performance for all students. It is not awarded for a single strong year. It reflects sustained, school-wide commitment to every student consistently.
Mrs. Frances Nguyen, Board Clerk of the Westminster School District Board of Education, put it plainly: "This kind of recognition does not happen by accident. It is the result of years of intentional decisions, strong leadership, and a community that holds high expectations for every child. Helen Stacey Middle School makes WSD better, and this honor reflects that."
Three Times. One Commitment.
Most schools earn a California Distinguished School recognition once and celebrate it for years. Stacey has now earned it three times — in 2021, 2024, and 2026 — each time under the same category, each time because the data said so.
That consistency is not a coincidence. It reflects teachers who stayed the course, families who partnered with the school, and students who rose to meet what was asked of them. It reflects what excellence in education looks like when it is practiced as a daily standard rather than pursued as a single goal.
"This award belongs to every student who walked through our doors and every teacher and staff member who ensure all students learn at high levels refused to give up on them," said Dr. Rick Nichols, Principal of Helen Stacey Middle School. "We don't celebrate closing the achievement gap as a finish line — we celebrate it as proof that our work is pointed in the right direction. I am honored to lead this school and humbled by what this community has built together."
About the California Distinguished Schools Program
The California Distinguished Schools Program is administered by the California Department of Education and honors public schools for exceptional student outcomes. Established in 1985, it is one of California's longest-standing school recognition programs. In 2026, three categories were recognized: Exemplary High Achievers, Achievement Gap Closers, and the newly introduced Beacons of Opportunity, which honors high-performing schools serving rural and Title I communities.
About Westminster School District
Westminster School District is committed to providing every student with a rigorous, supportive, and equitable education. For more information, visit https://www.wsdk8.us/