GGUSD Recognized for AP Excellence

All seven comprehensive high schools in GGUSD have earned a spot on the 2025 College Board Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll, each receiving Gold, Silver, or Bronze distinctions. This recognition highlights AP programs that deliver strong student outcomes while expanding access to rigorous coursework.

During the 2024–25 school year, GGUSD students took 9,353 AP exams, achieved an 81% pass rate, and earned an average score of 3.5—a testament to the district’s focus on college readiness and academic excellence.

Jordan Intermediate Student Named Spelling Bee Champ

On Wednesday, we proudly celebrated our top 40 intermediate school spellers at GGUSD’s 38th Annual Intermediate School Spelling Bee! Congratulations to Minh Do, an 8th grader from Jordan Intermediate School, who took home the championship trophy, marking the third year in a row a Jordan Intermediate student has won the title! Board of Education President Bob Harden, Vice President Lan Nguyen and Trustee Teri Rocco attended to cheer on the spellers and hand out trophies and medals! We are so proud of these scholars for the practice they invested into sharpening their spelling skills and competing in this rigorous competition.

GGUSD Receives Special Recognition at City Council Meeting

Garden Grove Unified School District was honored at this week's Garden Grove City Council Meeting, where the Board of Education and Superintendent were recognized for the district’s outstanding accomplishments and continued commitment to student success.

Over the past year, GGUSD has earned local, state, and national recognition for excellence across academics, school climate, the arts, and student support. Highlights include top rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best K-8 and High Schools lists, being named a 2025 California Honor Roll District, 11 California Distinguished Schools (more than any district in OC and more than any in CA except LAUSD which is 14x our size), and receiving more than $32 million in state funding to expand Community Schools—more than any district in Orange County.

GGUSD has also been recognized for its positive school climates, outstanding music education programs, AVID student scholarship success, and the exceptional achievements of its educators, administrators, staff, and students.

The Mayor and City Council presented GGUSD’s Board of Education and Superintendent with a certificate of recognition, sharing their pride in the district’s achievements and the impact GGUSD continues to make for students and families across the community. Board President Bob Harden thanked the City Council for its ongoing partnership and support.

Stanley Elementary Hosts K-9 Literacy Event

Garden Grove Unified School District loved seeing students at Stanley Elementary build confidence and strengthen their reading skills this week through Bark Reading Dogs! As part of the all-volunteer BARK program, students had the opportunity to read aloud to certified therapy dog Miley, creating a calm, encouraging space that helps young readers grow. Moments like this show how learning can be both meaningful and fun!

Walton Intermediate School Gets Creative with Learning

Great learning is happening every day at Walton Intermediate School! From engaging classroom lessons to hands-on activities that spark curiosity and critical thinking, Walton students are building skills, confidence, and a love of learning. GGUSD is proud to see our educators creating meaningful learning experiences that help students grow and succeed—both in and out of the classroom.

Russell Recognizes Scholars for Academic Success

Russell Elementary proudly hosted its second “A Night of the Stars” awards celebration! The school honored standout students in grades 4–6 who demonstrated academic growth and met or exceeded standards on last year’s SBAC assessment—supporting GGUSD Goal 1: Academic Achievement. Students and their families came dressed to impress as the evening celebrated not only students’ hard work, but also the families who provide ongoing support and encouragement. As a Community School, Russell Elementary believes student success is a shared effort, and this special night highlighted what can be accomplished together.

Learn How to Enroll Your Child in One of Our Dual Immersion Programs!

Don’t miss out! Attend an upcoming Parent Orientation Meeting to learn how to enroll your TK/Kindergarten child in one of our Spanish Dual Immersion programs at Monroe, Russell, or Simmons for the 2026–27 school year.

Our Spanish Dual Immersion programs help students grow into confident, bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural learners. Discover why our dual language programs are among the best—preparing students for lifelong success in a global society

Remaining Parent Orientation Meetings:

Monroe Elementary

January 27 at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Russell Elementary

January 26 at 8:30 a.m.

Simmons Elementary

January 29 at 9:00 a.m.

Considering a School Transfer for the 2026–2027 school year?

While most GGUSD students attend their school of residence or the neighborhood school closest to home, GGUSD offers transfer options for families who would like to explore other opportunities. Families living within GGUSD boundaries may apply for an intradistrict transfer, and families living outside GGUSD boundaries may apply for an interdistrict transfer. The 2026–2027 transfer application window is open now through February 13, 2026.

Applications are 100% online—no need to visit the district office or a school site.

Apply at ggusd.us/transfers

Transfer Window Timeline (2026–2027):

• Priority Window: January 12 – February 13, 2026

(Intradistrict Parental Choice and specified reason intradistrict/interdistrict applications)

• Applications received after this window will be processed as space allows

Dual Language Academies:

For Spanish Dual Language at Monroe, Russell, or Simmons or Vietnamese Dual Language at Murdy, the priority enrollment period ends January 31, 2026. Learn more and sign up for a parent orientation at ggusd.us/dual.

Questions or need support? Contact the Office of Student Services at (714) 663-6391 or visit ggusd.us/transfers for more information.

GGUSD to Host Freshman Focus Zoom for Parents of 8th Graders

GGUSD is hosting a special Zoom Webinar called “Freshman Focus.” This Zoom Webinar is intended for all parents/guardians of current eighth grade students to help support their child(ren) in preparation for their transition to high school. The Freshman Focus Zoom Webinar will be held on Thursday, January 22 with the option to attend either the morning session from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. or the evening session from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. 

The meeting is designed to give parents important information regarding high school registration prior to our district’s eighth grade visits to high schools. GGUSD Superintendent Dr. Gabriela Mafi and Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Dr. Stephanie Heflin will provide helpful insights regarding steps to prepare children for course selection, extracurricular opportunities as well as how parents can support their child(ren) in making a smooth transition to high school as they embark on this exciting time on their journey to lifelong success. It is our goal that all incoming high school students are well-informed about how to make the most of their high school experience both academically and through the many opportunities to get connected through athletics, visual and performing arts, and clubs. Families who need interpretation in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, or Arabic should plan to arrive 10 minutes early to the meeting.

RSVP: Please use this link to RSVP to attend the meeting: https://bit.ly/FFRSVP2026

The Zoom webinar will be recorded and a link to the video will be shared with individuals who register to attend.

ATTEND: Please use this link to join the Zoom webinar on January 22: 

https://ggusd-us.zoom.us/j/97350611557

Free Live-Chat Tutoring for All GGUSD Students

GGUSD has partnered with Varsity Tutors to offer FREE 24/7 live chat tutoring and one-hour tutoring sessions to support students in their academic success (Goal 1). The program is accessible from home through ClassLink using a district-provided device.