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Claremont Unified School District is thrilled to announce that Chaparral Elementary School has been selected as a 2025 California Distinguished School, a prestigious honor awarded by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

Chaparral is one of only 336 elementary schools across the state to receive this distinction and is recognized in the category of Exceptional Student Performance. This award celebrates schools that demonstrate the highest levels of academic achievement while fostering a positive school climate and high student engagement.

According to the California Department of Education, schools in this category must meet rigorous standards on the California School Dashboard, including strong results in English Language Arts, mathematics, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rates. Chaparral’s continued growth in these areas and a schoolwide commitment to excellence made it a clear choice for this honor.

This recognition is a powerful reflection of Chaparral’s vision:

“Chaparral is a community dedicated to fostering academic excellence while building character, celebrating diversity, and nurturing the whole child.”

Superintendent Dr. Elsasser shared, “This award is a testament to the strong partnership between the students, staff, and families. This recognition proves that when we work together, extraordinary things happen.”

Chaparral joins an elite group of schools across California that are setting the standard for academic success and student support. We proudly celebrate this well-deserved recognition and applaud the Roadrunner community for their dedication, perseverance, and heart.

Way to go, Roadrunners! 

Claremont Unified School District is also thrilled to celebrate Sumner Danbury Elementary School, recently named a 2025 California Distinguished School for its efforts in Closing the Achievement Gap—one of only 336 schools across California to receive this recognition.

This prestigious award is a powerful tribute to the incredible work happening every day on the Sumner Danbury campus. It speaks to the determination of students who rise to meet challenges with courage and curiosity, the unwavering dedication of educators who believe in every child’s potential, and the support of families who partner with the school to lift all learners.

This recognition is not just about improved academic performance—it’s about the caring relationships, innovative teaching strategies, and deep commitment to equity that define Sumner Danbury’s culture. Whether it’s celebrating small wins in the classroom, building confidence in early readers, or fostering a sense of belonging in every student, the staff at Sumner Danbury shows what it means to nurture the whole child.

Superintendent Dr. Elsasser shared, “This honor is a celebration of the entire Sumner Danbury community. It reflects the compassion, dedication, and resilience that students and staff bring to campus each day. We are proud to recognize their remarkable work and look forward to the continued growth and inspiration they bring to Claremont Unified.”

Congratulations to Sumner Danbury Elementary School for this well-earned recognition. Your journey exemplifies the power of perseverance, passion, and purpose in public education.

Every year, Claremont Unified School District third graders take a memorable field trip that's more than just a day out—a musical adventure. Thanks to the Foothill Philharmonic Committee's generous support, students can attend the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Symphonies for Youth concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Designed for children ages 5 to 11, these concerts are an unforgettable introduction to orchestral music, featuring live performances by world-class musicians and interactive pre-show activities that light up imaginations.

Before the concert, students are invited to explore Art and Sound Activations, hands-on activities that change with each show's theme. At a recent concert, Sycamore Elementary third grader Coco Foster was one of many CUSD students who got to craft their own instruments. "We made little mini violins using a jar cap and rubber bands," she explained, "and we got to decorate them with colorful tape to make them our own!" The experience even included making fabric-covered magnets featuring musical instruments and joining in silly group chants like "rock... and roll!" as part of the fun.

Following the pre-concert activities, students entered the stunning Walt Disney Concert Hall to enjoy the live performance. Coco shared that one of her favorite moments was watching a solo violinist perform with such passion, "his hair would go up and down every time he played—it was so graceful!" Sitting in the upper balcony with her friends and pretending to play along with her mini violin, Coco was fully immersed in the music. "The performance was really good. They played a famous song that went like, 'dun, dun, dun, dun,' and I knew it!"

The timing of this musical field trip couldn't be more perfect. CUSD's instrumental music program begins in fourth grade, giving students like Coco a taste of what's to come. While she isn't sure yet whether she'll choose orchestra or band next year, she's already had a taste of piano through a teaching app. She says she's also interested in trying other instruments—possibly the saxophone, inspired by her sister's friend. Whether she becomes a musician or the zookeeper she dreams of being, one thing is clear: the magic of the symphony and the Foothill Philharmonic Committee's support is leaving a lasting impression on our youngest learners.

Each April, School Library Month gives us the perfect excuse to shine a spotlight on the book-loving, curiosity-sparking, imagination-igniting heroes in our school libraries — and here in Claremont Unified School District, we're proud to celebrate the incredible CHS librarian and Library Media Assistants who make magic happen every day.

From sparking a love of reading during story time to supporting students' research projects, our library staff does much more than shelving books. They create welcoming spaces where every student feels seen, supported, and inspired to learn. Whether they're recommending a can't-put-down read, helping with technology, or creating themed displays that bring our campuses to life, these staff members do it all — with heart, humor, and a deep commitment to student success.

Throughout the district, students and staff know their library staff as go-to experts, trusted mentors, and champions of imagination. Their work transforms learning by fostering inquiry, collaboration, and a lifelong love for reading.

So, this School Library Month, we invite our community to join us in giving our fantastic library staff a well-deserved round of applause. Thank you for helping our students write their best stories — one book, one question, and one library visit at a time.

We invite our entire Claremont Unified School District community to come celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated Claremont High School Music Building! Join us on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. for a special ribbon cutting ceremony at the Music Building Outdoor Stage on the CHS campus. This exciting new space will be a hub for creativity, collaboration, and musical excellence for our students.

Mark your calendar and spread the word—this celebration is for all of us! We look forward to seeing you there and making this day a memorable one.

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