The Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD) serves approximately 19,500 students. The District consists of nineteen elementary schools, four middle schools, three comprehensive high schools, two alternative high schools, one community day school, and one communitycharter school. The District’s boundaries include the cities of Folsom and Rancho Cordova, California, both of which adjoin Highway 50, northeast of downtown Sacramento.
Folsom’s population is approximately 63,000, similar to Rancho Cordova’s population of approximately 61,000. Both communities share characteristics of small towns with active parent groups, service organizations, and city councils. Business partnerships include national corporations and retailers Intel, GenCorp/Aerojet, Kaiser Permanente, Costco, and Sam’s Club, as well as numerous local and regional businesses.
FCUSD employs over 1,760 employees, many with significant longevity in the District. The District’s 860 classified employees support 900 certificated teachers, counselors, nurses, psychologists, and administrators. Highly-qualified and committed teachers are the key to FCUSD’s academic success. The District is proud to be home to the highest number of National Board Certified teachers in the region.
Over the last five years of testing, the district-wide Academic Performance Index (API) grew 55 points to 817, exceeding the state’s target of 800 for “high performing” districts and schools. Six FCUSD schools have now scored over 900 points, and 76% of the District’s comprehensive schools achieved or exceeded their 2008-09 API growth targets. The majority of FCUSD schools have also met the progressive federal standards for Annual Yearly Progress (AYP).
The District benefits from a strong and experienced Board of Trustees. The Board has managed the state’s budget crisis well and has committed to maintaining the 3% reserve. With the cooperation of employee groups, the District negotiated furlough days to help balance the budget for 2010-11. Even with employee concessions, the District had to reduce expenditures by over $14 million (11%)—a direct loss of services to students.
FCUSD has a rich tradition of staff development. The emphasis on continual improvement and coaching encourages employees to learn new and effective strategies necessary to address the diverse needs of all students. The District’s ethnic/racial makeup is: .9% American Indian or Alaskan Native, 16.2% Hispanic, 7.9% Black, 61.3% White, 11.2% Asian or Pacific Islander, 2.4% Filipino, and .1% other.
