Expanding opportunities and access for MUSD learners

On my way to the MUSD Innovation Campus, this news podcast caught my attention: “How a Ford Plant Changed Milpitas.” “What?! Ford changed Milpitas?” I exclaimed to myself. That is not the nucleus of the ingenuity that, in ‘54 forged a new model community for what could be possible everywhere. While Ford needed to assure it had a workforce to run its factory in Milpitas, it was UAW civil rights leader Ben Gross who established the first planned integrated neighborhood in the US -- Sunnyhills. The podcast weaves the history of Sunnyhills with the metamorphosis of the Ford factory to the Great Mall of today. Similarly, the legacy of the Sunnyhills vision is the foundation of our #1 MUSD Strategic Goal; build a Culture of We that engages MUSD partners, families, team members, and community in supporting learner success. 

Our community celebrated Juneteenth at Sunnyhills Augustine Park on June 21st, and it filled my heart to reconnect with students and families who are part of our MUSD history, present, and future. Escuela Parkway is a testament to the transformation in educational pathways we have created. Without ever leaving Escuela, a student can spend their educational years from 4 to 54+ years old attending school at Pomeroy, TRMS, MHS, MUSD Middle College High School, and San Jose City College Extension. At the same time, an educator can spend their career on Escuela experiencing a kaleidoscope of opportunities in MUSD such as parent volunteer, paraprofessional, community liaison, campus safety expert, teacher, principal, board member, or superintendent. We are a community of learners thriving through change and drafting our future together. 

Reflecting on our year, I am inspired by how our learners, team members, and community continue to reimagine what education can be. This spirit of innovation and excellence—rooted in the inclusive vision of Sunnyhills—was recognized across our district in powerful ways this year.

Sinnott Elementary earned the 2024 California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award for its Gold Standard Project Based Learning, demonstrating how curiosity and collaboration can ignite student success. At the MUSD Innovation Campus, MHS Extension educator Sejee Kim was named a 2024–25 KQED Youth Takeover Teacher, empowering student voice through media and civic storytelling. Vincent Tran of Rancho Milpitas Middle School received the 2024 RAFT STEAM Educator of the Year Award, a testament to the minds-on learning happening across our campuses.

We celebrated WASC accreditation awards for MUSD Middle College High School, Milpitas High School, and Milpitas Adult Education, and recognized Curtner, Mattos, TRMS, and Rancho with top rankings amongst elementary and middle schools. Milpitas High School again ranked among the Best High Schools in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report, underscoring our district wide commitment to high expectations and meaningful learning experiences for all.

From classrooms to competitions, our learners shined on local, state, national, and even global stages. MUSD teams earned top honors in badminton, soccer, basketball, volleyball, track, wrestling, cross-country, baseball, marching band, art, speech & debate, Skewb, spelling, Odyssey of the Mind, Science Olympiads, Robotics, and the Silicon Valley Tech Challenge. These victories speak to the range of passions and talents our students cultivate with the support of caring MUSD team members, families, and students.

And as we look ahead, we’re expanding access and opportunity through the launch of three new pathways: Mustang Academy at Calaveras Hills High School, Engineering and Graphics with dual college credit at MHS Extension, and a Tech Elective with AI at Rancho Milpitas Middle School. These initiatives are more than programs—they’re bridges to the future our learners are already shaping.

Together, we are living our mission to empower every learner. Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey in MUSD✨

In community,

Cheryl Jordan
Superintendent

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