The Cupertino Union School District traces its roots back to 1917, when the four original one-room school districts in Cupertino—San Antonio, Lincoln, Doyle, and Collins—consolidated to form a unified district.[4] The earliest school building associated with the area, however, dates to 1867, reflecting the community’s long-standing commitment to education.[5]
During the first half of the 20th century, CUSD grew steadily alongside Cupertino’s transition from a rural orchard region to a suburban community. The post-World War II housing boom and the incorporation of Cupertino in 1955 spurred significant population growth, leading to the rapid expansion of elementary schools and the eventual addition of middle schools to serve the increasing number of families in the area.[6]
Over time, the district expanded its jurisdiction beyond Cupertino to include portions of Sunnyvale, San Jose, Saratoga, Los Altos, and Santa Clara. By the early 21st century, CUSD had become one of the largest elementary school districts in California, reflecting both the area’s demographic shifts and its reputation for academic excellence.[7]
Governance
The Cupertino Union School District is governed by a five-member elected Board of Education, which sets policy, approves the budget, and hires and evaluates the superintendent. Trustees are elected at-large to four-year, staggered terms in general elections.[8]
The Board annually elects its officers - president, vice president, and clerk - who preside over meetings and drive governance. Meetings occur twice monthly and are open to the public in adherence with California’s Brown Act. Members of the public may participate during designated public comment periods.[10]
The superintendent, as the district’s chief executive, implements Board policy and oversees daily operations, supported by a cabinet including leadership in educational services, business services, human resources, and other operational areas.[11]
CUSD also includes advisory bodies such as the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education and the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC), offering targeted input on programs for specific student populations.[12]
Schools
Colloquial names of schools are in bold.
Elementary schools (K-5)
Blue Hills Elementary School, Saratoga.
L. P. Collins Elementary School, Cupertino.
Manuel De Vargas Elementary School, San Jose.
Nelson S. Dilworth Elementary School, San Jose.
C. B. Eaton Elementary School, Cupertino.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School, Santa Clara
Cupertino Language Immersion Program (CLIP), San Jose (K-8; located on the campus of Muir Elementary School for K-5 and on the campus of Miller Middle School for 6-8) [2]
Murdock-Portal (Portal) Elementary School, San Jose (K-5; formerly known as Carol Murdock Elementary School until closed in 1980. Reopened as Murdock-Portal when the Portal Elementary School was closed, and the students and teachers moved to the Murdock location.)
Closed schools
Calabazas Creek Elementary (closed after 1974–1975 school year; demolished) [13]
Doyle School (demolished in 1980; now Barrington Bridge neighborhood)[14]
C. B. Eaton Elementary School (closed in 1983, later reopened and currently operating) [15]
Fremont Older Elementary School (closed 1994; demolished, acquired by Cupertino through Measure T along with Black Berry Farm, now Creekside Park) [16][17]
Grant School (closed 1979, mostly demolished for new homes; a portion is now Grant Park and a few original buildings serve as Grant Park Community Center) [18]
Hansen Elementary School (closed in 1979; reopened and now Christa McAuliffe School) [19]
Herbert Hoover Elementary School (closed 1981, demolished; now Hoover Park and accompanying homes) [20]
Inverness Elementary School (closed 1978, demolished; now part of Sunnyvale Birdlands neighborhood) [21]
Jollyman Elementary School (closed after 1981–1982 school year; demolished for construction of new houses (Jollyman Park)) [22]
Luther Elementary School (closed 1982; retained by district as reserve campus; buildings now leased to private schools with attached field serving as a neighborhood park) [23]
R. I. Meyerholz Elementary School (closed 2022 due to declining enrollment)
Monta Vista Elementary School (now Monta Vista Park; a few buildings remain and are used by Cupertino as an auxiliary Recreation Center) [24]
Carol Murdock Elementary School (closed 1980; reopened 1995 when the Portal alternative program was moved, making room for the Collins Elementary transition and build out of Lawson Middle School on the Collins site).[25]
Nan Allen School (closed; retained by district as reserve campus; now utilized half by district to house the TRC (Teacher Resource Center) and half leased out) [26]
Ortega Junior High School (facilities merged with adjoining Stocklmeir Elementary School) [27]
Panama School (closed 1978, demolished; now Panama Park) [28]
Portal Elementary School, including Nan Allen School on same site (closed 1983, now reopened as Collins Elementary School) [26]
William Regnart Elementary School (closed 2022 due to declining enrollment)
San Antonio School (closed 1974 or soon after, now San Antonio Park and South Peninsula Hebrew Day School; one of four original one room school houses in CUSD, later moved to Astoria site in Sunnyvale before closing) [29][30]
Serra Elementary School (closed 1981; retained by district as reserve campus; buildings now leased to private schools with adjoining park leased to city) [31]
Laura B. Stichter School (closed after 1977–1978 school year; demolished) [32]
Earl Warren Elementary School (closed 1975; now Jenny Strand Park, Santa Clara) [33][34]
Wilson Elementary School (closed 1975, demolished; now Wilson Park) [35]
Zarevich Site (Prune & Apricot orchard land purchased from Antone Zarevich family. Agricultural land that was purchased for a new school site during enrollment growth, but never developed into school site. Later sold, near current-day Interstate Freeway 280 and Lawrence Expy adjacent to 5301 Stevens Creek/Agilent Campus).[36]
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