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Vallejo City Unified School District

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Vallejo City Unified School District
Address
665 Walnut Avenue
Vallejo
, California, 94592
United States
District information
TypePublic
GradesK–12
SuperintendentRubén Aurelio
NCES District ID0640740 [1]
Students and staff
Students9,653 (2024–25)[1]
Teachers424.38 (FTE)[1]
Staff682.04 (FTE)[1]
Student–teacher ratio22.75:1[1]
Other information
Websitewww.vcusd.org

Vallejo City Unified School District is a K-12 school district in Vallejo in the U.S. state of California, serving approximately 9,300 students as of December 2025.[2] Following declining enrollment and financial problems, the district was under state oversight from 2004 to 2025, and has closed and consolidated schools. As of January 2026, it comprises ten elementary schools, four middle schools (one a dependent Charter school), two comprehensive high schools, three alternative school programs, and an adult school; three elementary schools are scheduled to close at the end of the 2025–26 school year.

History

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The district originated as separate elementary and high school districts governed jointly by the city board of education.[3] In January 1945, Vallejo City Unified School District was authorized to open a four-year junior college.[4] Vallejo Junior College was established that year and became a two-year college in 1955.[5] In 1967 it was moved to Fairfield and renamed Solano Community College.[6]

In the 21st century, the Vallejo City Unified School District has had a continuing budget deficit and declining enrollment. After the funding shortfall exceeded $18 million,[7] in 2004 it was placed in receivership by the State of California, receiving a $60 million loan and being placed under fiscal oversight by the Department of Education.[8][9][10] Richard Damelio was appointed administrator,[11][12] and oversaw all district operations until 2007. Partial control was then restored to the school board,[13] with Damelio continuing to oversee finances until April 2013. Melvin Iizuka was then appointed as a fiscal advisor to the district by the Solano County Office of Education.[14][15] Repayment of the loan was completed in September 2024 and oversight ended in July 2025,[15] but enrollment meanwhile had declined by almost half,[10] falling from approximately 18,000 in 2004[15] to approximately 9,300 by late 2025.[2]

To save money, in spring 2004, prior to entering receivership the district eliminated elementary school music teachers, middle school counselors, and librarians, and closed Mare Island Elementary School.[16] Since 2004 it has continued to combine and close schools and reduce staff. Farragut and Davidson Elementary School, Vallejo Middle School, and Hogan High School were closed by Damelio.[15] Elsa Widenmann Elementary School and Solano Middle School were merged in 2019 to create Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy.[15] In 2020, Beverly Hills Elementary School and Benjamin Franklin Middle School were closed,[15] and Farragut Leadership Academy was relocated to the John Finney Educational Complex.[17] At the end of the 2024–25 academic year, the district closed two elementary schools, Mare Island Fitness and Health Academy and Loma Vista Environmental Science Academy,[2][18] and in December 2025 it announced that three more would close at the end of the 2025–26 academic year.[19] Little League fields and an elementary school campus have been sold.[15]

Rubén Aurelio has been the district superintendent since July 2024.[2]

Schools

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As of January 2026, the Vallejo City Unified School District includes ten elementary schools, four middle schools (one a dependent Charter school), and two high schools. The district also has four alternative public education schools or programs including an adult school.[20]

Elementary schools

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  • Cooper Elementary
  • Federal Terrace Elementary
  • Glen Cove Elementary
  • Highland Elementary (to close in 2026)[19]
  • Lincoln Elementary (to close in 2026)[19]
  • Dan Mini Elementary
  • Grace Patterson Elementary
  • Annie Pennycook Elementary (to close in 2026)[19]
  • Steffan Manor Elementary
  • Wardlaw Elementary

Middle schools

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  • Cave Language Academy (TK–8)
  • Hogan Middle School (until 2011, Springstowne Middle School)[21]
  • Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy (TK-8; formerly Solano Middle School)[17]
  • Vallejo Charter School (TK–8; dependent charter)

High schools

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Alternative schools

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  • John Finney Educational Complex[22]
    • Everest Academy (6–13)
    • John Finney High School
    • Independent Study Academy
  • Vallejo Adult School

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Vallejo City Unified". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d Jill Tucker (December 15, 2025). "Talk of school closures often sparks fury across the Bay Area. Except in this city". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  3. ^ Report on Solano County, California. Association Report 22. Los Angeles: California Taxpayers' Association. 1929. p. 63. OCLC 17235192.
  4. ^ Annual Report of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Sacramento, California: State Department of Education. 1946. p. 5.
  5. ^ Walter Crosby Eells; Jesse Parker Bogue (1971). American Junior Colleges (8th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Council on Education. p. 109. OCLC 1480208.
  6. ^ Stella Waterman (December 4, 2024). "The Questionable History Between Solano Community College and Vallejo". Solano Pulse. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  7. ^ Meredith May (March 17, 2004). "Vallejo schools deep in debt / $20 million shortfall -- state takeover looms". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 20, 2026 – via SFGate.
  8. ^ Lynda Gledhill (May 19, 2004). "Sacramento/ Senate OKs bailout for Vallejo schools". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  9. ^ Carrie Sturrock (June 28, 2004). "How Vallejo school district got itself $60 million in red". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 20, 2026 – via SFGate.
  10. ^ a b Aidin Vaziri (July 2, 2025). "Big moment for Vallejo schools — district ends two decades of state oversight". Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  11. ^ Carrie Sturrock (June 23, 2004). "Vallejo: State administrator takes over schools". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  12. ^ Simone Sebastian (June 22, 2006). "School overseer's contract extended". SFGate. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  13. ^ Jill Tucker (July 13, 2007). "Vallejo schools regain local control". SFGate. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  14. ^ John Glidden (July 31, 2019). "Vallejo school board approves new contract with state trustee". Vallejo Times-Herald. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g Zack Haber (June 30, 2025). "Vallejo school district emerges from state control after 20 years". Vallejo Sun. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  16. ^ Simone Sebastian (March 25, 2004). "Vallejo / School board OKs deep cuts / Music, counselors, librarians eliminated -- Mare Island Elementary to be shut to cut deficit". SFGate. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  17. ^ a b John Glidden (May 7, 2020). "Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy name proposed to school board". Vallejo Times-Herald. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  18. ^ Zack Haber (February 20, 2025). "Vallejo school district to close two schools, cut 75 staff positions". Vallejo Sun. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  19. ^ a b c d Jill Tucker (December 19, 2025). "Bay Area school district to close three schools, affecting 1,000 students". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  20. ^ "Vallejo City Unified School District: Schools". Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  21. ^ Zara Irshad (July 7, 2025). "NASCAR legend and Bay Area rap pioneer reportedly linked by unexpected hobby". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 16, 2026. In 2011, the Vallejo City Unified School District restructured its schools, relocating Springstowne Middle School to the former Hogan High School campus at 850 Rosewood Ave. The school was subsequently renamed Hogan Middle School. The original Tennessee Street site is now occupied by Vallejo Charter School.
  22. ^ "John Finney Education Complex: What We Offer". Vallejo City Unified School District. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
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