Cupertino Union School District


The Cupertino Union School District is a school district in Santa Clara County, California. CUSD's jurisdiction covers the communities of Cupertino, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Los Altos. CUSD operates seventeen elementary schools and five middle schools, and one school. It is a feeder for the Fremont Union High School District.

History

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. The earliest school building associated with the area, however, dates to 1867, reflecting the community’s long-standing commitment to education.
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.
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.

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.
The Board members include:
  • Jerry Liu – Board President
  • Satheesh Madhathil – Board Vice President
  • Sylvia Leong – Board Clerk
  • Ava Chiao – Board Member
  • Long Jiao – Board Member
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.
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.
CUSD also includes advisory bodies such as the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education and the District English Learner Advisory Committee, offering targeted input on programs for specific student populations.

Awards and Recognitions

  • In 2023, fourteen Cupertino Union School District elementary schools were recognized as California Distinguished Schools by the California Department of Education.
  • In 2024, Joaquin Miller Middle School was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education; it was one of three schools in Santa Clara County to earn the award that year.
  • Also in 2024, Kennedy Middle School won the Science Olympiad National Tournament for the second consecutive year.

    Notable Events

Superintendent’s Award
The Superintendent’s Award is a recognition program created by CUSD in 2022 to honor students and staff who exemplify the district’s “Portrait of a Learner” competencies. Students may be recognized as Effective Communicators or Inclusive Collaborators. Staff honorees are acknowledged for passion, loyalty, commitment, and ownership of their work.
State of the District
Beginning in the 2021–22 school year, CUSD has hosted an annual State of the District event to update the community on district priorities, finances, student achievement, and strategic goals.
Key highlights from these reports include:

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
  • Garden Gate Elementary School, Cupertino.
  • Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, Cupertino.
  • Montclaire Elementary School, Los Altos.
  • John Muir Elementary School, San Jose.
  • Chester W. Nimitz Elementary School, Sunnyvale.
  • D. J. Sedgwick Elementary School, Cupertino.
  • Stevens Creek Elementary School, Cupertino.
  • Louis E. Stocklmeir Elementary School, Sunnyvale.
  • West Valley Elementary School, Sunnyvale.
  • William Faria Elementary School, Cupertino.
  • Murdock-Portal Elementary School, San Jose.

    Middle schools (6-8)

  • Cupertino Middle School, Sunnyvale.
  • Warren E. Hyde Middle School, Cupertino.
  • John F. Kennedy Middle School, Cupertino.
  • Sam H. Lawson Middle School, Cupertino.
  • Joaquin Miller Middle School, San Jose.

    Alternative program schools

  • Cupertino Language Immersion Program, San Jose
  • Christa McAuliffe School, Saratoga
  • Murdock-Portal Elementary School, San Jose

    Closed schools

  • Calabazas Creek Elementary
  • Doyle School
  • C. B. Eaton Elementary School
  • Fremont Older Elementary School
  • Grant School
  • Hansen Elementary School
  • Herbert Hoover Elementary School
  • Inverness Elementary School
  • Jollyman Elementary School
  • Luther Elementary School
  • R. I. Meyerholz Elementary School
  • Monta Vista Elementary School
  • Carol Murdock Elementary School.
  • Nan Allen School
  • Ortega Junior High School
  • Panama School
  • Portal Elementary School, including Nan Allen School on same site
  • William Regnart Elementary School
  • San Antonio School
  • Serra Elementary School
  • Laura B. Stichter School
  • Earl Warren Elementary School
  • Wilson Elementary School
  • Zarevich Site.