GGUSD Earns National Carnegie Award for Impact for Freshman On-Track Success

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD), as a member of the California CORE Districts, has been named a recipient of the inaugural Carnegie Award for Impact, a prestigious national honor recognizing significant and sustained improvement in high school student success.

Presented by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the Carnegie Award for Impact shines a national spotlight on school districts and networks that demonstrate measurable gains in student outcomes through strong systems, collaborative leadership, and continuous improvement practices. GGUSD’s recognition highlights its success in advancing student achievement through its focused work on the Freshman On-Track initiative, which supports students during the pivotal ninth-grade year.

Through its participation in CORE’s Breakthrough Success Community (BTSC), GGUSD has strengthened systems, aligned supports, and built collaborative school teams dedicated to ensuring more ninth graders stay on track to graduate. Research shows that ninth grade is a critical indicator of high school completion and postsecondary success. GGUSD’s strategic efforts have resulted in meaningful improvements that position students for long-term academic achievement and college and career readiness.

“This national recognition reflects the extraordinary work happening in our schools every day,” said Board of Education President Bob Harden. “Our educators and staff continue to strengthen systems, collaborate across campuses, and provide targeted support to students during one of the most critical years of their academic journey. We are proud of the impact this work is having on student success.”

GGUSD is one of six large urban school districts in California that is participating in CORE’s Breakthrough Success Community. The Carnegie Foundation announced the CORE group and two other recipients as the first-ever honorees of the Carnegie Award for Impact. The award celebrates models and approaches that produce consistent and persuasive results in preparing students for postsecondary education, career pathways, and real-world learning experiences.

GGUSD’s recognition underscores the district’s long-standing commitment to continuous improvement and equitable outcomes for all students. By focusing on early indicators of success and implementing data-driven supports, the district continues to build sustainable systems that help students thrive in high school and beyond.