School Restructuring & Reconfiguration

Update from the November 4, 2025 Board of Education Meeting:

On November 4, 2025, the ABC Unified School District Board of Education took the next step in the District’s restructuring and reconfiguration work. After thoughtful discussion, the Board approved new attendance boundary maps for the Aloha Elementary School and Juarez Academy communities.

These changes mark the beginning of the transition to the 2026–2027 school year, when Aloha and Juarez students will begin attending nearby schools:

Aloha Elementary students will move to Melbourne Elementary, Palms Elementary, or Willow Elementary, depending on where families live within the new boundary lines.

Juarez Academy students will move to Burbank Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, or Wittmann Elementary.

Some other school boundaries were also changed, but these changes will not affect students who already attend those schools. They will only apply to new students who enroll starting in the 2026–2027 school year. 

The Board also approved a temporary change to the Schools of Choice process. As part of the commitment made during the planning of restructuring. Families at Aloha and Juarez will receive priority in this year’s Schools of Choice lottery. This ensures that families have flexibility and options as they plan for next year. No current Schools of Choice student at any other school will lose their placement because of this change.

What Happens Next

Our teams across the District are now working together to finalize transition details. In the coming days, families at Aloha and Juarez will receive direct communication via email and U.S. Mail that will include your child’s school assignment and information about school tours at their new school.

As schools consolidate, the Board will approve new attendance boundaries for the District. Once finalized, the new ABC School boundaries information will be shared with all families.

Here are the current proposed home schools:

• Students from Aloha may attend Willow, Melbourne, or Palms (Updated 11/4/25).
• Students from Juarez may attend Burbank, Kennedy, or Wittmann (Updated 11/4/25).
• Students from Furgeson may attend Hawaiian or Melbourne (Updated 6/16/26).
• Students from Stowers may attend Cerritos or Gonsalves. (Updated 6/16/26)

We know that school location is an important factor for families. The District will provide bus transportation for students from consolidated schools.

• For Aloha and Juarez, details about bus routes and stops will be shared before the end of the 2025–2026 school year.
• For Furgeson and Stowers, details will come during 2026–2027 ahead of their transition.

Current Transportation Guidelines

• Elementary students: if home is more than 1 mile away and they must cross a major street.
• Middle school students: if home is more than 2 miles away.
• High school students: if home is more than 3 miles away.
• Students with IEPs: transportation services remain in place as outlined in their plan.

Please note: transportation has never been available for before- or after-school ABC EXCELS programs, but may be provided as part of these changes.

• ABC EXCELS after-school program at all elementary and middle schools.
• Academic & Behavioral Interventions at every school.
• Arts & Music education funded through Proposition 28.
• Dual Language Immersion (DLI): Programs will continue at new locations near Furgeson and Stowers, with current teachers staying with the program.
• Free breakfast and lunch at all schools.
• Health Services at every school.
• Magnet programs, including International Baccalaureate (IB), AVID, and STEM, will continue at designated sites.
• Mental health supports at all schools.
• Special Education services, including Specialized Day Classrooms (SDC), which will remain in designated locations as determined through the IEP process.

UPDATE: At its November 4, 2025, meeting, the ABCUSD Board of Education approved a temporary change to the Schools of Choice process, giving families from Aloha and Juarez top priority for the 2026-2027 Schools of Choice process (application window: December 1-31, 2025).

Our intra-district permit and School of Choice processes will continue for resident families. Aloha and Juarez families can expect a step-by-step guide and timeline before the Schools of Choice Process begins in December.  We are working to ensure our plan aligns with Board Policy and all other considerations.

The District will provide information to our non-resident families enrolled through an Inter-District Permit by December, as we wish to ensure you remain part of our school district.

Our intra-district permit and School of Choice processes will continue for resident families. Aloha and Juarez families can expect a step-by-step guide and timeline before the Schools of Choice Process begins in December.  We are working to ensure our plan aligns with Board Policy and all other considerations.

The District will provide information to our non-resident families enrolled through an Inter-District Permit by December, as we wish to ensure you remain part of our school district.

Change can be difficult, and we are committed to supporting students, families, and staff through every step.

• We are working with employee unions so that staff transfers are fair and legal, with the goal of students seeing many of the same teachers and staff at their new schools.
• Principals and staff will collaborate to create activities that bring school communities together before the transition.
• Send-off events will be planned at Aloha and Juarez so students and families can celebrate their schools before moving on.
• Input from families, students, and staff will be gathered throughout Phase I and used as a blueprint for Phase II.
• A detailed 6th-grade transition plan will be available during the 2026–2027 school year.