Redlands Unified School District

Redlands Unified School District
Location
Redlands, California
San Bernardino County
United States
District information
GradesK through 12
Established1905
SuperintendentJuan Cabral
Enrollment19,773
Other information
Websitewww.redlands.k12.ca.us
Redlands Unified School District historic 1937 Boardroom.

The Redlands Unified School District is a public school district in San Bernardino County, California. It includes the city of Redlands, and the majority of the city of Loma Linda, the unincorporated communities of Mentone, Crafton, and Forest Falls, as well as the eastern half of Highland and a small eastern portion of San Bernardino.[1]

Total enrollment was 19,773 in 2024. The district has 16 elementary schools that serve kindergarten through fifth grade, four middle schools serving sixth through eighth grades. The district has three four-year high schools, one alternative high school and one charter high school.

District governance

  • Superintendent – Juan Cabral (since July 1, 2023)[2].

Board of education

As of May 2026:

  • President – Michele Rendler - (Trustee Area 2) (first elected in 2019, term ends in 2026)
  • Vice President – Patty S. Holohan - (Trustee Area 1) (first elected in 2008, term ends in 2026)
  • Board Clerk – Melissa Ayala-Quintero - (Trustee Area 3) (first elected in 2020, term ends in 2026)
  • Member – Jeannette Wilson - (Trustee Area 4) (first elected in 2024, term ends in 2028)
  • Member – Candy Olson - (Trustee Area 5) (first elected in September 2024, term ends in 2028)

Board members are elected to serve four year terms with no term limits.[3]

History

Early school houses

"Site of the original Lugonia, Now Redlands, district school building erected in 1877. The name Lugonia was suggested by Charles R. Paine, Then county supt. of schools. Trustees. C.E. Brink, M.H. Crafts, W.R. Tolles. Teacher, George W. Beattie. Monument erected in 1935."
1935 monument erected at the original 1877 Lugonia School site, Church Street / Lugonia Avenue by Daughters of the American Revolution

Early history of education in what is now Redlands was established by the local Estancia outpost of the San Gabriel Mission by Spanish missionaries in 1820. The Mission School taught local native tribes about agriculture, religion and Eurocentrism. The Van Leuven school, a private school was established in 1854 near the Estancia in the western area of now Redlands. The Mission School District was established in 1857 and opened a public Mission Elementary using the Van Leuven school house. Lugonia Elementary was founded in October 1877 by Frank E. Brown and George W. Beattie on the northwest corner of Lugonia Avenue and Church Street, in Lugonia, now northern Redlands, establishing the Lugonia School District. Crafton Elementary was established in 1888 and created the Crafton School District in the eastern area of Redlands.[4][5] The Barton School House was built in 1901 by Dr. Ben Barton, the new land owner of the Estancia. Redlands was incorporated as a city in 1888.

Consolidation

One high school was established by the districts in 1891, "Union High School". Union High School was originally on the northwest corner of Orange Street and Colton Avenue in a building called, the "Wilson-Berry Building". The Redlands Unified School District (RUSD) was organized and founded in 1905, created from the already established Lugonia, Mission and Crafton School Districts.[6] Union High School became Redlands High School in 1892 and moved into its current campus on Citrus Avenue. It has remained in the same location since opening day, the only high school in California still operating on its original site.[7]

District Growth

Lugonia Elementary was named after the Lugo family of California, early settlers of Redlands before incorporation. Kingsbury Elementary opened in 1888 and in 1892, teacher Mrs. Mary Fackler started the tradition of reciting the American Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each school day. The custom faded and she helped re-start the spread of the recital nationwide.[8] McKinley Elementary was built in 1903, it is named after the 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, the first sitting U.S. president to visit Redlands in 1901. Lowell school was built in 1902 on Church and Citrus Avenue. Franklin Elementary in 1903 for Benjamin Franklin. Bryn Mawr Elementary opened in 1911 in the Loma Linda area. Bryn Mawr is welsh for "big hill". The Barton School House closed in 1937. Kimberly Elementary was founded in 1957, and named after resident Mary Kimberly Shirk, owner of the Kimberly Crest mansion, daughter of the founder of Kleenex. Smiley Elementary was named after Redlands philanthropists, the Smiley brothers Albert K. and Alfred Smiley, opened in 1953.

In 1921, the first Junior High school was the re-purposed Lowell Elementary, adjacent Redlands High School on Citrus Avenue. E. M. Cope Middle School, founded in 1957, is named after Edward Mitchell Cope, local business owner and founder of the Redlands chapter of the Red Cross, who also donated land to build the local Community Hospital.[9][10][11] Clement Middle School opened in the fall of 1962. It's named after former Redlands educator and early Redlands Superintendent Henry G. Clement. Moore Middle School opened as Moore Junior high school in the fall of 1966, named after the Moore family, owners of the local Daily Facts newspaper from 1895 to 1981. The Redlands Junior High School site closed in 1966 and its classrooms were added to Redlands High School and re-named "north campus".[12] Beattie Middle School opened in 2004, named after the first teacher at Lugonia Elementary school, University of Redlands alumni, founding faculty at the University of the Philippines in Manila and Pomona College and dean of Manila Junior College, Superintendent of San Bernardino County schools and local Redlands historian, George W. Beattie.[13]

Redlands had a Lincoln Elementary School, opened July 1, 1980. The elementary school closed in 1989. The campus became Orangewood (Continuation) High School. The continuation school was previously operating out of the district offices since 1966. Orangewood is the districts only continuation high school. Clement Middle school once functioned as Redlands High School's "Freshman Campus", between 1994 and 1997 due to overcrowding at the school districts only high school, RHS. RUSD would go on to build two additional high schools, Redlands East Valley High School in 1997 and Redlands Citrus Valley High School in 2009. Clement returned to its original name with middle school students once REVHS opened.[14][15] Judson & Brown Elementary was also named after Redlands founders Edward G. Judson and Frank E. Brown, opened in 2006.[16]

The Redlands eAcademy is a RUSD on-line school.[17] The school features a blended learning environment and serves grades K-12. The virtual school opened in August 2013.[18][19][20]

Bonds

Prior to Proposition 13, RUSD relied heavily on property taxes assessed. With property taxes capped, school districts had to rely on state funds. Contemporary bonds started with measure M in 1993, but notable historical facility bonds approved by Redlands voters prior to 1993 include the 1884 bond of US $6,000 (equivalent to US $175,906.54 in 2024)[21] to build Lugonia Elementary, the 1877/1878 bond of US $15,000 (equivalent to US $406,522.68 in 2024)[21], approved to build the first Kingsbury Elementary School campus and the 1903 bond of US $60,000 (equivalent to US $1.68 million in 2024)[21], passed to expand Redlands High School and complete its campus construction; as examples.[22][23]

Contemporary bonds as of 1993 are:

  • Measure M in 1993: Funded the removal of old portable classrooms and modernization of libraries and labs.
  • Measure T in 1993: US $34.5 million (equivalent to US $661.94 million in 2024)[21] for a new high school that eventually became REVHS.
  • Measure R in 2002: US $60 million (equivalent to US $99.72 million in 2024)[21] seismic retrofitting and permanent building replacements. Funds for a third high school, eventually building CVHS.
  • Measure J in 2008: US $65.5 million (equivalent to US $108.86 million in 2024)[21] to answer overcrowding and updating structural spaces.
  • Measure D in 2024: $500 million to update campuses due to age, as more than 80% are over 60 years old.[24][25][26][27]

Elementary schools

Middle schools (junior high)

High schools

The three comprehensive high schools, commonly known by their acronyms are: RHS, REV and CVHS. Each play in the California Division II Interscholastic sports league, Citrus Belt League.

Achievements

  • The district has achieved multiple awards, including the National PTA Parent Involvement School's of Excellence award, a Model Continuation High School Award for Orangewood High School, a Title 1 Academic Achievement Award, California Achieving School's Award Program, a Golden Bell Award, a National Blue Ribbon Schools award, a California Pivotal Practice District Award and thruout the years, multiple school have achieved California Distinguished Schools awards. For example, in 2025, eleven schools and the district received Educational Results Partnership - California Distinguished Schools Honor Roll, a statewide achievement.[28][29]

Controversy

  • Bryn Mawr Elementary school was designated as "the Mexican school" in 1911 for Spanish speaking children of citrus workers. Located on the southeast corner of Mayberry Street and Whittier Avenue. With efforts by PTA member parent Rafaela Landeros Rey, segregation was challenged for the unequal education at Bryn Mawr, she was able to change the segregation policy at RUSD. Redlands Unified School district self de-segregated in 1942 due to pressure from Mrs. Landeros Rey and the community, years before state law banned the practice in passing California Assembly Bill 1375 (The Anderson Bill) and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issuing a ruling in Mendez v. Westminster in 1947.[30][31] When the school was integrated, all children went to Mission Elementary School and Bryn Mawr Elementary closed in 1947. A new Bryn Mawr school would later reopen three blocks south on Whittier Avenue in Loma Linda, California in 1993.
  • The district has had a large number of child molestation criminal and civil abuse cases. Twenty five teachers and staff have been accused by over fifty students since 1999. Following an investigation in the early 2020's, the district entered into a stipulated judgment in 2024 with the California Department of Justice, placing RUSD under five years of monitoring. To date, the district has paid out over $50 million in damages to affected students and families.[32][33][34] RUSD abuse cases gained nationwide attention, including a high-profile CBS news report named "Pledge of Silence" that aired nationally.[35]
  • Current board member Candy Olsen was accused of being antisemitic and racist in 2025 by local parent organizations. 1,500 complaints were received at a school board meeting about Olsens post and likes on social media. Olsen stated her social media was taken out of context. Since elected, Olsen has followed the second Trump administrations "MAGA agenda" of banning school library books, certain flags and curriculum she deemed as "Critical Race Theory".[36] The project 2025 debate garnered nationwide attention.[37][38]
  • Local folklore about a ghost haunting at Mariposa Elementary School has trespassers occasionally entering school grounds after hours. As the urban legend has it, a young school boy named Billy was struck by a bus and killed while riding his bicycle in front of the school in the 1950s.[39] The school district states the story is false and never happened. [40][41]

References

  1. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: San Bernardino County, CA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 8 (PDF p. 9/12). Retrieved March 14, 2024. - Text list
  2. ↑ https://www.redlandscommunitynews.com/news/rusd-announces-new-superintendent-hire/article_2875450a-0636-11ee-861a-13ace4410060.html
  3. ↑ O'Neil, Jim. "Redlands Unified school board president launches new column". redlandscommunitynews.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Five Lugonia schools". Redlands Daily Facts. July 6, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Redlands' Mission Elementary rededicated with presentation on school's history". Redlands Daily Facts. October 12, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  6. ↑ "About - Mission Elementary School". mission.redlandsusd.net. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  7. ↑ "History & Mission Statement". REDLANDS INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Redlands students among the first to pledge allegiance to the flag". Redlands Daily Facts. July 3, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  9. ↑ "100 years ago in Redlands: With new building, intermediate school becomes Redlands Junior High". Redlands Daily Facts. May 14, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  10. ↑ Hernandez, Kristina (September 22, 2016). "Moore Middle School marks 50th anniversary". Redlands Daily Facts. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  11. ↑ Hernandez, Kristina (August 13, 2016). "What's changed — and what hasn't — as Redlands High celebrates 125". Press Enterprise. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Revisiting a `Grain of Salt'". Redlands Daily Facts. January 22, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  13. ↑ STUCK, NELDA (August 4, 2022). "Middle school receives desk owned by its namesake, George Beattie". Redlands News. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  14. ↑ https://orangewood.redlandsusd.net/our-school/about
  15. ↑ https://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/2015/04/11/clement-middle-school-in-redlands-celebrates-50th-anniversary/
  16. ↑ "Judson & Brown school almost ready". Redlands Daily Facts. February 16, 2006. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  17. ↑ Details; CDE; California Government online; accessed April 2014.
  18. ↑ New eAcademy in Redlands Will Offer Online Schooling; June 8, 2013 article; Redlands Daily Facts; accessed April 2014.
  19. ↑ Redland USD on-line; accessed April 2014.
  20. ↑ "Five Lugonia schools". Redlands Daily Facts. July 6, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  22. ↑ https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/dafd572224654e0d8a6e8c6448e3739c
  23. ↑ https://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/2008/07/06/five-lugonia-schools/
  24. ↑ https://www.communityforwardredlands.com/measure-d-bond-fuels-major-upgrades-across-redlands-schools/
  25. ↑ https://www.redlandsusd.net/our-district/school-and-district-facilities-bond-program
  26. ↑ https://www.redlandscommunitynews.com/news/education/redlands-school-board-approves-facility-improvement-bond/article_9575f1c0-5c18-11ef-adf3-3f0b71bca899.html
  27. ↑ https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SBS19930310.1.50&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------
  28. ↑ https://www.communityforwardredlands.com/redlands-unified-11-campuses-named-to-california-honor-roll/
  29. ↑ https://www.redlandsusd.net/our-district/award-winning-schools
  30. ↑ https://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/2012/10/14/fair-celebrates-history-of-mission-elementary-school-in-redlands/
  31. ↑ https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/facbc07652c1421a875efd5472f88dd5
  32. ↑ Iyer, Jennifer (November 28, 2021). "Redlands Unified Sexual Abuse Reforms Paying Off". The Redlands Daily Facts. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  33. ↑ Rodriguez, Matthew (April 8, 2024). "Redlands Unified School District settles child sexual abuse case". CBS News. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  34. ↑ https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-announces-stipulated-judgment-redlands-unified-school
  35. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCRA8tRh54U
  36. ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/california-school-board-instagram-likes-nazi-name-calling-redlands-rcna223472
  37. ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/california-school-board-instagram-likes-nazi-name-calling-redlands-rcna223472
  38. ↑ https://www.communityforwardredlands.com/redlands-school-board-at-center-of-fierce-debate-over-parental-rights-identity-and-curriculum/
  39. ↑ https://aboutredlands.com/articles/redlands-hauntings
  40. ↑ https://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/2020/07/30/amp-97-1-fm-making-a-morning-mess-by-airing-la-version-of-arizona-show/
  41. ↑ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-oct-31-me-ghost31-story.html
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