Walnut Heights Elementary

4064 Walnut Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Diablo, Walnut Heights Elementary School enjoys the 3 acre Nature Area adjacent to the Walnut Creek Open Space. This natural setting provides the backdrop to the school, which in transitional kindergarten (TK) serves around 400 students and their families through fifth grade. The school district was built in 1952 and modernized in 1998, adding outdoor learning areas in 2003 and a new amphitheatre, in 2004. Bond monies include continuing school site enhancement. During the school year 2007-08 the playground was expanded and redesigned.

The families, community, and staff of Walnut Heights Elementary School as collaborators will grow innovative, outstanding learners with the skills and enthusiasm to shape a changing world in a child-centered, academically challenging atmosphere that cultivates character and encourages learning.

Walnut Heights Elementary is a school service grade KG to 5 and is located in the "Walnut Creek Elementary" district of Walnut Creek, CA. Walnut Heights Elementary has a total of 425 students and 18 teachers, for a student-to-teacher ratio of 24 to 1. There are a total of 26 students on free lunch and 5 students on discounted lunch.

Walnut Heights Elementary has an average test score of 69.5 percent (in math and languages), which is 82 percent higher than the average score in California.

Walnut Heights School opened in 1951, with the founding of the Walnut Heights PTA in November of that year. The first principal was Dr Elmo Giulieri, past school superintendent. Floyd Buchanan succeeded him for two years in 1953-55, followed by Dr. Lloyd Scott during the school years from 1955-57.

In the summer of 1997, major redesign and reconstruction began, including white boards, air conditioning, and cabling of all classrooms for electronics. In 1998 a new kindergarten area was completed, offices expanded, and a new Library Media Center. Such changes were made using the money available from a bond measure that had been passed many years earlier. The school facilities and surrounding neighborhoods have undergone numerous changes over the years. Remaining constant is a continued effort to achieve high academic standards, and Walnut Heights ' remarkable degree of family engagement and community spirit.