CUSD Welcomes Scholars Back for 2026-27 School Year
Media Release
Campuses were filled with excitement, school bands played, cheerleaders cheered and families shared first-day hugs as Compton Unified School District officially welcomed scholars back for the start of the 2026–27 school year.
McKinley scholars greet their new principal, D'Shalen Barber.
Across CUSD’s 32 school sites, our nearly 16,000 scholars from preschool through 12th grade returned to campuses where principals, teachers and staff were waiting to welcome them with open arms. Parents and family members joined in the celebration, walking younger scholars onto campus, helping them find their classrooms, meeting teachers and saying those important first-day goodbyes.
At Clinton, Principal Miranda and the Lion were greeting the Lions!
At several high schools, the first day took on the atmosphere of a celebration. Bands played as scholars arrived, cheerleaders welcomed their classmates and staff members lined entrances to clap and cheer for scholars as they began another year of learning.
Tibby Scholars were excited for the new school year.
The excitement extended throughout the District as returning scholars reconnected with friends and teachers, while some of CUSD’s youngest scholars experienced their very first day of school.
At Dominguez High School, Principal Oliver greeted scholars.
The first day also marked the beginning of another important chapter for an award-winning school district that continues to build on years of academic progress and achievement.
Bursch's Principal Provost welcomed scholars and families back to school.
Compton Unified has established itself as one of California’s leading urban school districts and is ranked No. 1 in California among similarly situated school districts. CUSD scholars are graduating and pursuing higher education at exceptional rates, with the District achieving a 94 percent high school graduation rate and a 95 percent college acceptance rate.
Dominguez scholars were excited to be back on campus.
Those accomplishments reflect years of work by CUSD scholars, teachers, staff, administrators, families, the Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley to raise expectations and expand opportunities for every scholar.
Mayo's new Principal, Ms. Shaw, visited classrooms and greeted scholars.
From strong academics and college preparation to STEM, career technical education, athletics, music and the arts, CUSD enters 2026–27 committed to providing scholars with the opportunities and support they need to succeed in the classroom, graduate and prepare for college, careers and beyond.
With another school year officially underway, the message across Compton Unified was simple: Welcome back, CUSD scholars. Let’s make 2026–27 a great year!