Ribbon Award for public and private K–12 schools that are either academically superior in their states or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. Cupertino High was named a California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education in the years 1990, 1994, 2007, and 2021 based on its efforts to support impoverished students and student body success. As of 2022, it is ranked 292nd in the U.S. News Best High School rankings, 39th in California, and 21st for STEM high schools nationwide. Student achievements Cupertino High's 2010 graduating senior class was awarded $100,000 by Dell for a SuperProm. For four years the class decided that, rather than fundraising for junior and senior prom, they would raise funds for the Nthimbiri Secondary School in Kenya, and pledged to collect $100,000, calling the project Kenya Dream. In early 2010, the senior class came across Dell's SuperProm contest and submitted a video to possibly win the contest and also increase awareness of Kenya Dream. The seniors competed against 200+ schools across the country and won with 32,145 votes. Notable alumni Sports John Hencken – Olympic swimmer, medalling at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics Dan Kutler – Olympic swimmer Kurt Rambis – NBA basketball player and coach Judas Prada – college basketball coach Eva Lee - badminton competitor at the 2008 Summer Olympics Christopher Sullivan - professional soccer player, member of the U.S. national team Entertainment, news media, and music Doug Ferrari - comedian Nina Garbiras – actress Bryan "Brain" Mantia – musician, drums Azadeh Moaveni – journalist and author Renée Montagne – host, Morning Edition, NPR Peter Shin (1989) – film director Mohammad Gorjestani (2002) - film director Maline Hazle (1965) - journalist - San Jose Mercury News Politics John Doolittle – Congressman from California's 4th congressional district Fred Keeley – Assemblyman, California's 27th State Assembly district Academia Lawrence H. Keeley — archaeologist, researcher, and professor Notable staff and faculty Stu Pederson, MLB player, former frosh/soph head baseball coach at Cupertino References External links School website Cupertino, California Educational institutions established in 1958 Fremont Union High School District High schools in Santa Clara County, California Public high schools in California 1958 establishments in California