TEMECULA, Calif., May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Elite Academic Academy
(www.eliteacademic.com), a California public charter school serving TK–12 students through
flexible, personalized learning models, today announced it has received a 2026 Bronze Telly
Award in the Branded Content—Educational Institution category for its feature on All
Access with Andy Garcia.

Produced with support from Elite’s communications team and distributed on the nationally
syndicated public television series and local public television networks, the video showcases the
school’s student-centered mission, academic achievements, and distinctive learning philosophy.
Elite Academic Academy is among only a handful of TK–12 schools to earn a Telly Award in this
category in 2026.

The Telly Awards, now in their 47th annual season, honor excellence in video and television
content across thousands of entries from media companies, agencies, and institutions
worldwide. Elite’s winning entry premiered on the All Access with Andy Garcia program before
being broadcast on local public television networks, which provided the school with a rare
platform typically reserved for major media brands. The award reflects the strength not only of
Elite’s story, but of the leadership of CEO Ashlea Kirkland-Haynes, founder and former CEO
Meghan Freeman, and Social Media & Brand Manager Justin Diaz, whose collaboration
brought the school’s vision to a national audience.

“Winning a Telly Award for our video on All Access is an incredible honor, but the true story at
Elite remains the exceptional work happening between our teachers and students every day,”
said Kirkland-Haynes. “Our academic results reflect the power of strong institutional practices,
meaningful student relationships, and educators who personalize learning to meet the unique
needs, goals, and strengths of every Elite student.”

The Telly recognition arrives alongside a landmark academic credential: in January 2026, Elite
Academic Academy became one of the select schools in the nation to earn Level 3
certification through the Marzano High Reliability Schools™ (HRS) framework, the most
widely respected research-based model for continuous school improvement in the United
States. Level 3 certification affirms that a school has established a Guaranteed and Viable
Curriculum — meaning that curriculum, instruction, and assessment systems are fully aligned
so that every student receives equitable access to clearly defined learning outcomes and high-
quality instruction, regardless of the learning model they choose.

Academic Growth That Matches the Recognition
The Telly Award and Marzano certification reflect an institution producing measurable results in
the classroom. Combined data from the 2024–25 California Assessment of Student
Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and the California School Dashboard confirm that Elite’s
flexible, student-centered model delivers strong, verifiable outcomes across its Lucerne and
Mountain Empire Academies.

At Elite Academic Academy (Lucerne), CAASPP results showed an 8% increase in English
Language Arts (ELA), with 54% of students meeting or exceeding standards, thereby
outperforming both state (49%) and county (43%) averages. The Academy also achieved 14%
growth in Mathematics compared to the previous year, with gains realized across every
academy. Lucerne surpassed state and county performance in five of its six largest student
subgroups, including Hispanic, African American, and Students with Disabilities, which
demonstrates the reach of its equity-driven instructional practices.

At Elite Academic Academy (Mountain Empire), 56% of students met or exceeded ELA
standards on CAASPP, surpassing both state (49%) and county (54%) benchmarks.
Mathematics performance at 47% also exceeded state (37%) and county (42%) results. This
data reinforced instructional coherence across Elite’s virtual, homeschool, and flex learning
models.

California Dashboard outcomes mirror these CAASPP gains. Across both Academies, over 67%
of students improved in ELA and nearly 67% improved in Mathematics, earning Green ratings in
ELA, Mathematics, and College/Career Readiness, along with Green and Blue (the state’s
highest performance designation) ratings in Science.

“I am grateful that Elite received this Telly Award,” added Freeman. “More than the recognition
itself, this video project gave us the opportunity to share the heart of who we are with a wider
audience. Beyond our data-proven successes, Elite has always been a school built around
students, relationships, innovation, and meaningful learning experiences.”

About the Telly Awards
The Telly Awards, now in their 47th annual season, honor excellence in video and television
content. Entries are judged by a panel of industry professionals, and recognition is awarded
across categories including branded content, education, documentary, and more. For more
information, visit www.tellyawards.com.

About Marzano High Reliability Schools™
The Marzano High Reliability Schools™ (HRS) framework is a research-based model for
continuous school improvement developed by Dr. Robert J. Marzano and Marzano Resources.
The five-level framework guides schools from safe and collaborative culture through
competency-based education. Level 3 certification (Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum) is
earned only after rigorous evidence review confirming that curriculum, instruction, and
assessment are cohesively aligned to ensure equitable student outcomes.

About Elite Academic Academy
Elite Academic Academy is a California public charter school serving TK–12 students through
personalized, student-centered learning models including homeschool, virtual, and flex
academies. Founded by educators with over 75 combined years of traditional and charter
school leadership experience, Elite is committed to innovation, equity, and excellence and
empowering students to thrive academically, socially, and beyond. In addition to holding Level 3
Marzano High Reliability Schools™ certification, Elite is also a California Distinguished School.
Learn more at www.eliteacademic.com.