Central Unified School District establishes new boundaries for 2025-2026 school year

Central Unified School District has finalized new boundary maps for the 2025-26 school year in preparation for the opening of a new elementary school and changes to high school assignments.

Construction is progressing at Shields and Brawley in northwest Fresno for the new elementary school, which is slated to open in the fall of 2025. This coincides with the implementation of the new district-wide boundaries.

Superintendent Ketti Davis emphasized the importance of being ready for the influx of students. “This is a great place to live and raise your kids, and we need to have schools ready to welcome them,” Davis said. The new boundaries are designed to allocate students to the new school, address overcrowding issues at Herndon-Barstow Elementary, and alleviate pressure on Justin Garza High School, which is currently operating beyond its ideal capacity of 2,500 students.

Additionally, Central High School will undergo a significant change. Historically a "choice high school" offering special programs to all district students, it will switch to a boundary-based enrollment system starting in the 2025-26 school year. “We found that the intended draw for students to come from farther away wasn’t as strong as expected. Students expressed a desire for a richer arts and athletics experience,” Davis explained. The district is working to enhance competitive arts and athletics programs at Central High to meet these needs.

Current students in 5th or 6th grade, 8th grade, or 11th and 12th grades will have the option to complete their education at their existing schools. “If you’re in these grades, you’ll be guaranteed a spot at your current campus, but you need to let us know,” Davis said. Notifications can be made during the spring 2025 open enrollment period.

The district is also focused on addressing parent concerns about available programs and pathways for high school students. “By December, we aim to provide detailed program information to assist families in making informed decisions for the upcoming spring,” Davis said.

A dedicated website with updated boundary maps and FAQs in English, Hmong, and Punjabi is available for families to access the latest information.