RUSD Namesake Retrospective

Rialto Unified School District boasts a diverse population of approximately 25,500 students. 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 education 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 School District was formed in 1886. The first school was built in 1888. On April 9, 1891, the Rialto School 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 School District included grades first through eighth. Students of high school age attended the San Bernardino High School District. In 1924, Rialto Junior (now Middle) High School was built at 324 N. Palm Avenue. The name changed to Rialto Middle School and in 2009, the school was relocated to 1262 W. Rialto Avenue in Rialto. What was once called the ‘old’ Rialto Middle School, 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 educational functions. On July 1, 1964, the school district officially ‘Unified.’ Eisenhower High School and Rialto Junior High (now Middle) School became a part of the new Rialto Unified School 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 School. In September 2004, RUSD’s 28th school (and 18th elementary school) Charlotte N. Werner Elementary School opened. In August 2010, the District opened Nancy R. Kordyak Elementary School 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 education 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 students. Below are some educational highlights:

• Strong parent/guardian support programs and educational resources 
• 100% ‘Highly’ Qualified Teachers
• All RUSD schools recognized by California’s PBIS Coalition in 2020
• Trapp Elementary School earned back-to-back California Distinguished Schools Honor
• Eight schools earn 2020-2021 Green Ribbon Schools award: 
• Gold (3): Morris Elementary School, Jehue Middle School, Rialto Middle School, Milor High School
• Silver (4): Kelley Elementary School, Kordyak Elementary School, Trapp Elementary School
• Bronze (1): Eisenhower High School
• High School 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 students 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 School named AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction
• All high schools are accredited by the Western Association of Schools 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 School 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 School Administrators, Region 12, “Superintendent of the Year” 

County Schools' 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 Schools’ Medal of Honor Recipient, Puttin’ on the Ritz Fine Arts Student Gala, annually, which has raised more than $450,000 in grants for RUSD students.