CALIFORNIA — October 27, 2026. Judges and other judicial officers reached a record 5,200 K–12 students at more than 80 California schools during the state’s September Constitution Month, according to a report issued Tuesday by the California Courts. The activities included classroom visits, lessons on government and recognition of schools that make civic engagement part of everyday learning.
This October report is a new accounting of September activities, not an assertion that all the classroom visits happened on October 27 or that the state launched a brand-new program this week.
What did students learn?
Judicial officers led discussions on the U.S. Constitution, the structure of government, civic responsibilities and participation in a democracy. The visits were part of the judicial branch’s Power of Democracy initiative, which encouraged judges to connect with 250 students each by the end of 2026 as the country marks its 250th anniversary.
The courts also said 26 California schools received 2026 Civic Learning Awards at different recognition levels. The state Chief Justice and the Superintendent of Public Instruction jointly sponsor the awards.
What does the program look like in one school?
A strong example is South Junior High in Anaheim, where student representatives identify campus priorities and classes use Minecraft Education to design solutions to community challenges. The school received the 2026 Award of Excellence and held a celebration with Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero in September. California58’s local reporting on its student senate and civic design projects offers a more detailed look.
How schools can participate
The California Courts says judicial officers will continue school visits during the academic year through Judges in the Classroom. Schools interested in future participation can review the Power of Democracy initiative and its resources. Participation and specific visitor availability are subject to program arrangements.
Primary source: California Courts’ October 27 report. For the separate list of recognized schools, see the 2026 Civic Learning Awards. The reported 5,200 is the number of students reached during the described initiative, not a measure of students’ opinions or test results.
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