OC Register Highlights GGUSD Success

A front-page article in the Sunday edition of the Orange County Register recognized GGUSD as a standout district, highlighting its strong student outcomes and college readiness rates compared with high-income districts across the county and state.

GGUSD Earns Two Prestigious Statewide Honors

Garden Grove Unified School District has earned two prestigious statewide honors recognizing its leadership in bilingual education and commitment to multilingual student success!

GGUSD has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Trailblazer—Visionary Board Award from the California Association for Bilingual Education and the 2026 Lynne Aoki Multiple Pathways to Biliteracy District Recognition Award from Californians Together.

The CABE Trailblazer—Visionary Board Award celebrates bold leadership in expanding multilingual opportunities and advancing educational equity. GGUSD was honored for expanding its Vietnamese Dual Language Immersion programs and launching the region’s first after-school Vietnamese Heritage Language program—strengthening language development, cultural enrichment, and school-community connections.

The Lynne Aoki Multiple Pathways to Biliteracy Award recognizes districts that build comprehensive systems supporting biliteracy from early learning through graduation. GGUSD’s well-developed Spanish and Vietnamese pathways promote high levels of bilingual proficiency, with clearly defined milestones that celebrate students’ progress and culminate in graduates prepared to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy.

Together, these honors underscore GGUSD’s national reputation as a leader in multilingual education and its commitment to ensuring every student has access to rigorous, culturally responsive programs that prepare them for college, career, and global citizenship.

Both awards will be presented at the 2026 CABE Annual Conference in San Francisco, where GGUSD Board of Education Vice President Lan Nguyen and Trustee Teri Rocco will proudly represent the district.

GGUSD Schools Celebrate the Lunar New Year

Schools across Garden Grove Unified School District are joyfully celebrating the Lunar New Year!

From vibrant lion dances to stunning Ao Dai fashion shows, campuses are filled with color, culture, and community spirit. Students, staff, and families are coming together to honor traditions, share performances, and celebrate the rich diversity that makes GGUSD so special.

These festivities highlight the district’s commitment to embracing cultures, uplifting student voice, and creating meaningful opportunities for learning and connection. Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate!

Santiago High School Welcomes Families to Campus for Open House

Santiago High School welcomed families to campus yesterday for a fantastic Open House, named the Santi Social, filled with energy, pride, and outstanding performances by talented students! From dynamic musical showcases to engaging presentations, the evening highlighted the incredible learning experiences and vibrant school spirit that make Santiago such a special place! Events like Open House reflect the strong partnership between our schools and community, and GGUSD is grateful for the leaders who stand alongside us in celebrating student success!

Rancho Alamitos High School Celebrates Success of English Learners

Rancho Alamitos High School proudly hosted its very first RFEP (Reclassified Fluent English Proficient) Celebration — and the turnout was incredible! About 25 parents joined the celebration to honor their students for passing the ELPAC and reclassifying as English proficient.

So far this year, 54 students at Rancho Alamitos have reclassified as English proficient — a testament to their hard work, perseverance, and dedication to academic success as well as the dedication of teachers and staff in supporting all students, including English learners with mastery of academic English (Goal1B)

GGUSD is proud of these outstanding Vaqueros and grateful for the families and staff who support them every step of the way. Congratulations to all of our newly reclassified students!

GGUSD Receives National Recognition

GGUSD has earned the inaugural Carnegie Award for Impact from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching — a prestigious national honor recognizing significant and sustained improvement in high school student success.

Through GGUSD's participation in the California CORE Districts Breakthrough Success Community, GGUSD has strengthened systems, aligned supports, and built collaborative school teams focused on helping more ninth graders stay on track to graduate. Because ninth grade is a powerful predictor of high school completion and postsecondary success, this focused work is creating meaningful, lasting impact for students.

This recognition highlights GGUSD’s commitment to continuous improvement, data-driven practices, and equitable outcomes — ensuring every student is prepared for college, career, and life beyond graduation.

Superintendent Dr. Mafi Named 2026 Woman of the Year for California's 70th Assembly District

Garden Grove Unified School District is proud to share that Superintendent Dr. Gabriela Mafi has been named the 2026 Woman of the Year for California’s 70th Assembly District by Assemblyman Tri Ta.

Assemblyman Ta recognized Dr. Mafi for elevating academic achievement across Garden Grove Unified and expanding opportunities for thousands of students and families throughout the 70th Assembly District. Under her leadership, GGUSD continues to outperform state and county averages while preparing students for success in college, career, and beyond.

Dr. Mafi shared that the honor reflects the powerful partnership between GGUSD staff, families, community members, and elected leaders who are united in supporting student success. She expressed pride in GGUSD for its many achievements which demonstrate that the diverse and primarily immigrant families served are realizing their American dreams through their children's education.

GGUSD Recognizes School Resource Officer Appreciation Day

Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) is tremendously grateful for the dedicated School Resource Officers who serve our schools from the Garden Grove Police Department, Fountain Valley Police Department, Westminster Police Department, and Santa Ana Police Department!

Every single day, these outstanding officers go above and beyond to ensure our campuses are safe, supportive, and welcoming places for learning. Their commitment extends far beyond safety — they build meaningful relationships, mentor students, and make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of so many in the GGUSD community.

GGUSD’s School Resource Officers are a vital and valued part of the GGUSD family. Thank you for your dedication, partnership, and unwavering service to our students and schools!

Anthony Elementary Hosts Lunch with a Loved One Event

Anthony Elementary brought families together for a special “Lunch with a Loved One” event last week!

Students had the opportunity to enjoy lunchtime side-by-side with their parents, grandparents, and family members, creating sweet memories and sharing plenty of smiles.

Events like this highlight the strong partnership between school and home that makes the GGUSD community so special. Anthony Elementary is proud to create meaningful moments that strengthen family connections and support student success!

Pre-Enroll Your Child for the 2026/27 School Year!

GGUSD has opened pre-enrollment for the 2026-27 school year. We encourage families registering children in Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten to get started today!

Parents should pre-enroll online at enroll.ggusd.us and contact their child’s home school for support.

The GGUSD Roadmap to Success event will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Bolsa Grande High School for students in grades 6–12 and their families. The event will include workshops on CSU/UC admissions, high school preparation, financial aid, college applications, and career pathways. It will also feature a CTE Showcase with hands-on activities, along with a Special Education Resource Fair and workshops on transition services, postsecondary support, and post-graduation resources.

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.