The Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District (YCJUSD) is proud to announce that Yucaipa High School (YHS) has been officially recognized as a 2026 School of Distinction, earning prestigious Gold Status in the national Jostens Renaissance Education program.
The Jostens Renaissance program recognizes schools across North America that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to improving school climate and culture. To achieve Gold Status, Yucaipa High had to meet rigorous benchmarks across the program's "6 Rs": recognizing achievements, rewarding positive behavior, respecting community values, reinforcing high expectations, and tracking results, all anchored in relationships.
YHS Principal Dan Gervais said, “When our team attended our first Jostens Renaissance Global Conference, we knew immediately that we wanted to bring this work to Yucaipa High School. We believed our students and staff deserved a school where culture, climate, and connection truly matter. From day one, we set an ambitious goal: achieve Gold distinction in year one and Platinum in year two. At the time, we didn’t realize that earning Gold would require being ranked among the top 2% of Renaissance schools nationwide. We are incredibly proud that our team met that challenge. This recognition reflects the dedication of our staff, students, and community in building a positive, student-centered culture at YHS. Platinum…here we come!”
Through its Renaissance initiative, Yucaipa High School has successfully implemented creative student recognition rallies, academic incentive programs, and staff appreciation efforts that directly tie to increased student engagement and a connected campus community. By fostering an environment where positive behavior and academic effort are celebrated with the same enthusiasm as athletic achievements, YHS has set a benchmark for school culture across the region.
The Jostens Renaissance Education framework has been helping schools build positive cultures for over 30 years. Yucaipa High School will be officially celebrated for its Gold Status designation alongside other top-performing schools at the upcoming national conference.
Be sure to visit yucaipaschools.com to learn more about the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District or to follow the exceptional achievements taking place at Yucaipa High School.