The morning of Friday, March 29, 2019 at Rancho Pico Junior High School was unlike any of the others: students and staff walked into school on the blue carpet, leading them to a delightful spread of donuts for their enjoyment.

The “Distinguished Donut Day” celebration was in honor of the school earning the title of California Distinguished School for the third year.

Along with Valencia High School, Rancho Pico Junior High was named a 2019 Distinguished School, the only schools in the Santa Clarita Valley to earn the distinction. The Hart School District was named one of 18 Exemplary Districts in the State of California by the CDE and the only district honored in Los Angeles County.