Seven Ventura County schools are among 180 middle schools and high schools across the state that have been named California Distinguished Schools this year.

Cabrillo Middle School in the Ventura Unified School District; Medea Creek Middle School and Oak Park High School in Oak Park Unified; Charles Blackstock and E.O. Green schools in the Hueneme Elementary district; Monte Vista Intermediate in the Pleasant Valley Elementary district, and Thousand Oaks High School in Conejo Valley received the state honor.

Thousand Oaks High School Principal Keith Wilson attributed his school's success to the combination of parents, students and faculty. "They deserve the recognition," he said.

It was the first time that five of the schools were named distinguished schools.

Medea Creek and Blackstock won the honor two years ago.

The state names distinguished elementary schools in alternate years to middle and high schools.