Construction of a new school in Sacramento City Unified marks a significant development, the first in almost two decades.
The Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) has welcomed a new addition to its educational facilities with the opening of the Cesar Chavez Elementary School. This modern campus, built after nearly 20 years, is a significant milestone for the district [1][3].
The new school is a fusion of two former schools, Edward Kimble Elementary and Chavez Intermediate, now united on a single site [3]. Key features of Cesar Chavez Elementary include:
- 35 classrooms, designed with input from students, staff, and the community through a voting process [1].
- An indoor sports court.
- A U14-sized soccer field planned on the campus grounds [2].
- Emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental conservation [2].
- Additional facilities typical of the new SCUSD campuses, such as a multipurpose room, a STEAM lab, and community rooms [2].
As classes began in August 2025, construction work continues on playgrounds and the two-acre soccer field, which are expected to be completed in a few months [1]. The school is designed to serve about 800 students.
The district initially faced teacher vacancies but has reduced the number significantly by filling slots with credentialed substitutes. This move aims to ensure an effective transition for all students [1].
Funding for these new school construction projects comes from a $750 million bond passed by voters in 2020, which also supported the rebuilding of two other elementaries in the district [2][4]. Opening ceremonies and community tours took place in early August 2025, celebrating the new ultramodern design and equitable facility improvements made possible by this funding [2][4].
The community was actively involved in the design process of Cesar Chavez Elementary, ensuring that the school reflects the needs and aspirations of the local population [1]. Principal Sara Muns is optimistic that teachers are ready to welcome students back on Monday, August 18th, and hopes to see an increase in attendance at Cesar Chavez Elementary [5].
In related news, the district-wide teacher vacancies, which numbered 110 in June, have been reduced to 38 positions, the lowest it's been in a decade [6]. The SCUSD continues to work diligently to attract and retain high-quality educators to provide the best possible learning environment for its students.
References:
[1] "New Cesar Chavez Elementary School opens in Sacramento City Unified School District." ABC10. (2025, August 1). Retrieved from https://abc10.com/education/new-cesar-chavez-elementary-school-opens-in-sacramento-city-unified-school-district
[2] "Cesar Chavez Elementary School grand opening." The Sacramento Bee. (2025, August 5). Retrieved from https://www.sacbee.com/education/article254427595.html
[3] "Cesar Chavez Elementary School merges two schools into one." The Sacramento Observer. (2025, July 20). Retrieved from https://www.sacramentoobserver.com/2025/07/20/cesar-chavez-elementary-school-merges-two-schools-into-one/
[4] "SCUSD bond measure funds new school construction projects." The Sacramento Business Journal. (2020, November 4). Retrieved from https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2020/11/04/scusd-bond-measure-funds-new-school-construction.html
[5] "Principal Sara Muns excited for Cesar Chavez Elementary School opening." KCRA3. (2025, August 10). Retrieved from https://www.kcra.com/education/principal-sara-muns-excited-for-cesar-chavez-elementary-school-opening/
[6] "SCUSD teacher vacancies decrease to 38 positions." The Sacramento Press. (2025, August 15). Retrieved from https://www.sacramentopress.com/2025/08/15/scusd-teacher-vacancies-decrease-to-38-positions/
The community will be glad to learn that the new Cesar Chavez Elementary School, which combines education-and-self-development resources with sports facilities such as an indoor sports court and a U14-sized soccer field, has been open since August 2025. With the addition of this news, SCUSD news followers can expect updates on the progress of the soccer field construction and the school's attendance numbers, in addition to related news concerning teacher vacancies in the district.
