SAN DIEGO -- Nine middle and high school campuses in San Diego County were named "California Distinguished Schools" Monday in recognition of strong academic performance by students and quality instruction by teachers.

The local awardees are Carlsbad, Coronado, La Costa Canyon, San Pasqual, Valhalla and Valley Center high schools, Calavera Hills Middle School in Carlsbad, Rancho del Rey Middle School in Chula Vista and The Preuss School at UC San Diego.

They are among 171 campuses statewide that will be known as distinguished schools until 2011.

Students at the schools scored well on standardized tests. They were also judged by the California Department of Education and California County Superintendents Educational Services Association on curriculum, instructional programs and support for students.

The school sites were also visited by a team of outside evaluators.

Winning schools will receive a plaque and flag identifying them as California Distinguished Schools.