RUSD Namesake Retrospective

Rialto Ï㽶ÊÓƵ District boasts a diverse population of approximately 25,500 Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. With more than 2,700 district employees, the RUSD is the largest employer in the City of Rialto. Presently, the District has 3 comprehensive high schools, one alternative/adult Ï㽶ÊÓƵ school, one continuation high school, 5 middle schools, 19 elementary schools and 20 preschools (on elementary campuses) in the cities encompassing Rialto, including parts of Colton, San Bernardino, Fontana, Bloomington and Lytle Creek. On September 21, 2017, RUSD celebrated its 125th Birthday.

The Brooks Ï㽶ÊÓƵ District was formed in 1886. The first school was built in 1888. On April 9, 1891, the Rialto Ï㽶ÊÓƵ District was formed out of a part of the Brooks District due to massive growth in the area. By 1906, the schools were crowded and a Bond Election was held to build an eight-room schoolhouse.

The bonds were approved by a vote of 52-14 and the new schoolhouse was first occupied in 1907. In the 1920s Rialto Elementary Ï㽶ÊÓƵ District included grades first through eighth. Students of high school age attended the San Bernardino High Ï㽶ÊÓƵ District. In 1924, Rialto Junior (now Middle) High Ï㽶ÊÓƵ was built at 324 N. Palm Avenue. The name changed to Rialto Middle Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and in 2009, the school was relocated to 1262 W. Rialto Avenue in Rialto. What was once called the ‘old’ Rialto Middle Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, in 2010, under the leadership of the RUSD Board of Education, became the Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta Center for Education.

Mrs. Huerta attended the dedication of the building which offers staff and parental support, along with numerous Ï㽶ÊÓƵal functions. On July 1, 1964, the school district officially ‘Unified.’ Eisenhower High Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Rialto Junior High (now Middle) Ï㽶ÊÓƵ became a part of the new Rialto Ï㽶ÊÓƵ District. During the 1960s, through the 1980s, 1990s, and into 2000s, RUSD continued its growth and added 16 more schools. Orange groves were replaced by mass development, various tract homes, and retail stores.

Population/demographics changed drastically as more Latinos and African-American residents enriched the City. The District, through a bond that passed in 1999, opened Wilmer Amina Carter High Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. In September 2004, RUSD’s 28th school (and 18th elementary school) Charlotte N. Werner Elementary Ï㽶ÊÓƵ opened. In August 2010, the District opened Nancy R. Kordyak Elementary Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in the City of Fontana. On January 12, 2011, under the leadership of the RUSD Board of Education, the District Education Center was renamed the Dr. John R. Kazalunas Education Center. In 2013, the Board of Education renamed the Parent Center, the Curtis T. Winton Parent Center, located at the Chavez/Huerta Education Center located at 324 N. Palm Avenue in Rialto.

To learn more about the people behind the names of our schools please click here to view our Namesake Retrospective. 

Academic Achievements 

The RUSD is comprised of a strong community of educators who work together to not only meet rigorous State-mandated requirements, but also to meet the higher levels of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ expected by RUSD parents/guardians on a daily basis. Through the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) parents and the school district work together for the success of our Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. Below are some Ï㽶ÊÓƵal highlights:

• Strong parent/guardian support programs and Ï㽶ÊÓƵal resources 
• 100% ‘Highly’ Qualified Teachers
• All RUSD schools recognized by California’s PBIS Coalition in 2020
• Trapp Elementary Ï㽶ÊÓƵ earned back-to-back California Distinguished Ï㽶ÊÓƵs Honor
• Eight schools earn 2020-2021 Green Ribbon Ï㽶ÊÓƵs award: 
• Gold (3): Morris Elementary Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Jehue Middle Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Rialto Middle Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Milor High Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
• Silver (4): Kelley Elementary Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Kordyak Elementary Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Trapp Elementary Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
• Bronze (1): Eisenhower High Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
• High Ï㽶ÊÓƵ graduation rates increased from 2018-19 to 2019-20
• 7.25% increase in Graduation Rate for English Learners from 2018-19 to 2019-20
• Students read 1,783,509,755 words through Footsteps 2 Brilliance
• Completed the eligibility process for Ï㽶ÊÓƵ to qualify for the Seal of Bi-literacy
• 2021 marked the fifth year of student/staff recognition for San Bernardino County Multilingual Awards
• Graciela Gallardo, a 3rd-grade teacher at Kelley Elementary, was awarded 2021 State CABE Teacher of the Year
• 2021 Jehue Middle Ï㽶ÊÓƵ named AVID Ï㽶ÊÓƵwide Site of Distinction
• All high schools are accredited by the Western Association of Ï㽶ÊÓƵs and Colleges (WASC)
• All schools offer Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Honors & Advanced Placement classes
• Supporting student emotional needs with Wellness Centers opening across the RUSD
• 2019 STATE Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Attendance Review Board (SARB) Recognition for outstanding strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism and increase student attendance.

2020 RUSD Superintendent Dr. Cuauhtémoc Avila named Association of California Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Administrators, Region 12, “Superintendent of the Year” 

County Ï㽶ÊÓƵs' Best Fine Arts 

RUSD promotes countless school theatre and band programs taught by trained instructors and the District Music Festival. In April, the District hosts the San Bernardino County Ï㽶ÊÓƵs’ Medal of Honor Recipient, Puttin’ on the Ritz Fine Arts Student Gala, annually, which has raised more than $450,000 in grants for RUSD Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.