Quality by Design: How CUSD Preschools Nurture the District's Youngest Learners

Campbell Union School District (CUSD) has the unique offering of preschool programs for ages 2 years, 9 months through 4 in both half day and full time programs.

A Play-Based Foundation for Big Futures

In a CUSD preschool classroom, learning is an active, tactile adventure. The District’s curriculum focuses on nurturing each child's potential by encouraging them to explore, question, and discover the world around them.

CUSD’s early education teachers use play-based experiences to build core skills. As children build structures, create art, and share stories, they are simultaneously developing crucial social, physical, and cognitive abilities. This targeted approach ensures that when students eventually move up to Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten, they possess the confidence and creativity needed to thrive.

Aligned for Long-Term Success

One of the distinct advantages of a district-run preschool is the seamless alignment with elementary education. CUSD preschool teachers are highly trained and work in close partnership with TK and Kindergarten educators to ensure the curriculum flows naturally into the upper grades.

This consistency extends to behavior and social-emotional development. From their very first day, preschool students learn three simple, district-wide expectations: Be Safe, Be Friendly, and Be Respectful. Because these same values guide students all the way through their elementary years, children enter kindergarten already familiar with the culture and community expectations of their future campuses.

"Quality Matters" Certification

Families can rest easy knowing that CUSD's early childhood spaces meet rigorous standards. The district proudly participates in the Quality Matters Initiative, funded by First 5 Santa Clara.

This partnership means that classrooms undergo regular independent safety reviews, programs receive specialized support for early learning needs, and teachers have access to ongoing professional coaching. It is a structured framework that keeps the focus exactly where it belongs: on top-tier care and instruction.

Finding the Right Fit: Program Offerings & Locations

Understanding that every family has unique scheduling and financial needs, CUSD offers a diverse menu of both tuition-based and state-funded (free or low-cost) programs. Classrooms are located across multiple neighborhood school sites, and families do not need to reside within district boundaries to enroll.

Tuition-Based Options

Perfect for working parents or families looking for specific daily structures, these programs offer part-time, school-day, and full-day flexibility:

• 6-Hour School-Day Programs: Available at Forest Hill Elementary School
• 10-Hour Full-Day Programs: Available at Forest Hill Elementary School
• CUSD Employee Programs: Specialized schedules hosted at Forest Hill

Free or Low-Cost State-Funded Options

For families who meet state income eligibility requirements, CUSD provides excellent, subsidized early education:

• Half-Day Programs: Hosted at Blackford (8:15–12:15 AM), Lynhaven (8:15 AM–12:15 PM), and Rosemary (8:15–11:15 AM or 12:15–3:15 PM).
• Full-Day Programs: Hosted at Rosemary (7:55 AM–2:30 PM).

How to Enroll

Ready to take the first step? CUSD streamlines the registration process into a few straight forward online steps depending on the program path you choose.

1.Select Your Program Path: State-Funded vs. Tuition-Based.

Determine whether your family is applying for the free/low-cost State Preschool program or the Tuition-Based program.

2.Submit the Core District Form: Required for all applicants.

Visit the main district enrollment portal online, begin a new application, and make sure to explicitly select Preschool as the grade level.

3.Complete the Program-Specific Form: Finalize your placement preference.

If you are applying for the State program, complete the online Waitlist Application where you can verify income eligibility. If you are applying for the Tuition program, fill out the Tuition-Based Registration Form (you can also fill out a tour form if you'd like to see a classroom first).

Once your forms are submitted, the Preschool Enrollment Department will review your details and reach out within 3 to 5 business days with current classroom availability and your next steps.

Important Note: Preschool registration is only valid for the specific school year for which you apply—enrollment does not automatically roll over to the following year. The location of the preschool selected does not guarantee Kindergarten enrollment into that school following the preschool program.

For personal assistance or registration questions, you can contact the CUSD Preschool Department directly at (408) 364-4200 ext. 4180.