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Teachers of the Year
Teachers of the Year

2024-25

Snow-capped Mt. Diablo behind the Diablo View MS campus

We serve the Mt. Diablo region of Contra Costa

Smiling Girl

We educate students from preschool through Adult Ed!

Students and teacher raising their arms in class

We support Social and Emotional Learning

Cross country runners

We nurture strong minds and bodies

MDHS students dance Folklorico

We celebrate our diversity!

Bridge student graduation

We help all students achieve their goals!

Students' hands together in a circle

We are stronger together

Our Plans and Programs

EXPANDED LEARNING

We provide enrichment activities, academic support, and opportunities for our students to grow, develop new skills, and socialize in a safe environment.

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ADULT EDUCATION

We provide lifelong learning opportunities for adults of all ages and abilities to achieve their education, employment, community and personal goals.

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DISTRICT PLANS

The District has a variety of specialized plans which are based on student needs, assessment data, use of staff, parent involvement, and allocation of resources. 

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SPECIAL EDUCATION

We provide specialized academic instruction adapted to the needs of children with disabilities to help them meet CA educational standards.

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DUAL LANGUAGE

We provide students the opportunity to develop biliteracy in English and Spanish, master educational standards and develop cultural proficiency. 

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CARES after school students having fun together
Dental Assistant student holding mannequin head and dental molds
A happy student graduates from the Bridge Special Education program
Dual language math instruction

News & Announcements

lcap hat

The Mt. Diablo Unified School District seeks community feedback to inform our 2025-26 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). 

We invite all community partners, including parents, family members, and students, to provide input using this survey link: click here

Please complete the survey by Friday, April 25, 2025. Please note: this deadline has been extended fro April 23 to April 25 to allow for more family, community and staff participation.

Thank you.

Read More about MDUSD seeks community feedback for the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) by April 25th
Northgate HS 50 year anniversary

By Theresa Harrington Brandt, Public Information Officer

Fifty years ago, MDUSD opened Northgate HS in Walnut Creek for the 1974-75 school year to serve the growing community. This year, juniors in teacher Meg Honey's U.S. History class used their research skills to delve deeply into the school's history over the past five decades - interviewing alumni, collecting artifacts and memorabilia such as yearbooks and sports pennants, and creating display boards that they presented during the school's Open House on Tuesday.

The result, said Principal Kelly Cooper, was "a great visual history of our school," presented by "students available to talk through the decades for visitors." Honey, a Northgate HS alum who graduated in 1997, summed up the event in an Instagram post that evening: "150 Juniors. Hundreds of artifacts collected and curated. 40 alumni interviewed. 25 engaging exhibits created and shared with the community. What a night! Thank you to everyone who supported our project and attended tonight’s event. It was a GREAT night to be a Bronco! ❤️💛" 

The students, including many who were born in 2008, noted that some things have changed in the past five decades and some traditions are still carrying on. They marveled that it snowed in the 1970s, that San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk held a debate at the school in 1978, and the campus was impacted by the Loma Prieta earthquake. They loved looking through yearbooks to see how hair styles and fashions have evolved, and comparing how sports, academic and extracurricular activities have progressed. They looked at trends and culture including music, art and technology, and gained an appreciation for their place in the history of the school - which will continue to live on long after they have graduated.

Student Avanti Morucci focused on music trends in the 1970s, noting that ACDC, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and Fleetwood Mac were popular with students. And while fashions have changed, students expressed themselves creatively through their clothing just as they do today, said Claire Sul, adding that it was fun to look back and see who came before her and what her school was like in its early years. Jack Smyrni said the Broncos basketball team was top-notch, but the football team had a dismal 1-9 record in 1976 due to many injuries. He was proud to find that a 1977 student golfer went onto become a pro. Sofia Loreto, who takes animation classes at Northgate, looked back at art in the 1970s and was impressed that the school offered a photography class that inspired one student whom she interviewed to become a professional photographer. Aubrey McSweeney said students enjoyed clubs such as chess and started up traditions such as prom and homecoming. Instead of Leadership, they had a Student Congress. As a drama student, she also looked up the student productions and realized that years from now, future "students are going to look back and see what I'm doing!" Bella Johansson pointed out cheerleading and mascot outfits and Hailey Liu said she interviewed a cheerleader, and current plastic surgeon who helped coach the "Powder Puff" girls football game in the 1970s. Little did they know that students such as Hailey would be playing Girls Flag Football now! Enzo Sbarro said courses in the 1970s included life skills such as cooking, homemaking including buying insurance, and industrial arts such as wood shop and auto shop. He also noted that the school's first Mock Congress, which continues to this day, began in 1978. Yoshi Lando said the principal back then was Mr. Hansen, who was 6-foot-4. He said students in the auto shop class fixed their own cars, as well as each other's. 

For the 1990s, students Sriram Balaj and Amelia Rollins presented a display that included memorabilia from former track athlete Mike Cuglietta, who is now the school's track and field coach, as well as a Baseball Letterman's jacket belonging to Jon Campopiano, who went onto become a Northgate HS teacher, varsity baseball coach and vice principal, before moving to neighboring districts as an administrator. Sriram, who is on the school's track and field team as a shot put and discus thrower, said he enjoyed looking back at the school's sports history, as well as the music popular back then. The display also included a "cheer crate" that cheerleaders could stand on, cheerleading uniform and sports championship pennants, as well as a record player with a Sade album. Amelia researched the school's architectural history and noted that there were no walls between classrooms when it was built - just movable partitions. But due to the noise level, walls were eventually built. However, the school still lacks windows, she said. "It was cool to gather all the artifacts and memorabilia," she said. "I'm surprised how much stuff people kept!" 

The 2000s were combined into one time period spanning 24 years through 2023-24, featuring sports news including budget cuts that stopped district funding of athletics, resulting in a districtwide sports foundation that raised money to keep sports alive through events such as an annual 5K run, said student Riley Brandt. The Northgate Sentinel student newspaper was included in the displays, with headlines such as: "Budget cuts could signal end of sports," and "High school stress fills the halls of Northgate" in March, 2009. Northgate also got a full sized pool, along with a sports medicine room and weight room in 2014, said Riley, who is on the varsity swim team. He also noted that the COVID pandemic impacted technology, bringing Chromebooks to every student. Airah Pozas agreed, saying she prefers textbooks, but online PDFs and online textbooks are practical and convenient. She noticed style and fashion trends including girls' hair parted on the side, big silver hoop earrings and capris or leggings under jeans skirts. Since the pandemic, Airah said students have dressed more casually in more comfortable clothing, but she noted that some trends cycle back. "Polka dots and jeans skirts have made a comeback recently, which is a really good indication of how the times change," she said, adding that she loved the project. "Ms. Honey has done a great job," she said. "Northgate has had a lot of impact on a lot of people."

Honey expressed pride in her students, as well as in her alma mater. "Fifty years is significant," she said, adding that the school's anniversary offered her students the opportunity to interview alumni (including her), collect artifacts, and review yearbooks as legitimate historical sources in this milestone year of school. "I love this place so much," she said. "It is such a privilege to be teaching where I went to school." 
 

Northgate HS 50 year anniversary

 

Read More about Northgate HS students present artifacts and research to celebrate school's 50th anniversary
Dual Enrollment Fall 2025

MDUSD is offering 5 Dual Enrollment classes next Fall that enable high school students to earn college credits through Diablo Valley College (DVC).

The courses include:

  • Social Justice and Public Health courses at Mt Diablo High School; and
  • Early Childhood Education, Social Justice, and Industrial Design courses at Ygnacio Valley High School.

Check out the Dual Enrollment Flyers and Fall 2025 Dual Enrollment Schedule for locations, dates and times.

More information, including a tentative recruiting schedule at Mt. Diablo HS and Ygnacio Valley HS, is here

Dual Enrollment Fall 2025

 

Read More about High school students can apply now for Fall Dual Enrollment courses to earn college credit
YVHS InvenTeam

An Ygnacio Valley HS "InvenTeam" of 12 students has been working for months to develop an invention aimed at helping those with limited hand mobility regain independence by expressing themselves with hand gestures and manipulating their fingers to accomplish small tasks. The students are on one of eight teams in the country - and the only one in California - to be selected to participate in prestigious Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam® grant program, which challenges them to create a solution to a real world problem. 

The team reached a milestone in late February, when it presented its prototype during a Mid-Grant Technical Review to program administrators and local community members including Concord Vice Mayor Laura Nakamura and Kaylee Deland, Senior Outreach Coordinator for Rep. Mark DeSaulnier. "Their presence, along with the support from our community, made the event incredibly meaningful for our students," said engineering teacher Joseph Alvarico, who is mentoring the team along with math and International Baccalaureate teacher Tabatha Box. "Our team received valuable feedback from the attendees, which will help them refine both their product development and presentation skills moving forward. The insights shared will be instrumental in strengthening their work as we continue progressing toward EurekaFest."

EurekaFest is the culmination of the program, when all eight teams will travel to Boston to present their final prototypes at MIT. The YVHS team is working on a glove with fingers that move using tiny servo motors connected by dorsal strings that are operated by preset computer programs coded by the students that could include a thumbs up, peace sign, pointing, and customizable movements. All of the students on the InvenTeam are also in the school's engineering pathway and participate in the Project 212 afterschool robotics club, which has given them a variety of technical, teamwork and presentation skills that they are using in their invention challenge. 

To fine-tune their invention, the team has reached out to mentors including Dr. Shelby Edgar, the Director of Hand Therapy at Golden State Orthopedic, to find out what kinds of challenges her patients face and what would help them the most. To narrow their focus, the team decided to target helping people with radial nerve palsy, a condition that impairs hand and wrist movement due to nerve damage and affects their ability to do daily tasks. This is often a temporary condition that lasts 6-18 months and affects 2-17% of people, team members said.

They received feedback on their technical invention, sustainability, communications/research, and financing for both the invention and their trip to the East Coast. If they are successful in creating a unique invention that is marketable, they may seek a patent. They have raised enough money for the trip, but are still seeking additional funding for the prototype, hoping that any additional money raised could be used to continue a similar invention program locally by integrating it into the engineering and/or International Baccalaureate program curriculum at the school. They are also continuing to seek mentors who can give them additional feedback on their invention. More information is on the team's Instagram and GoFundMe page. 

YVHS InvenTeam


 

Read More about Ygnacio Valley HS InvenTeam gets feedback on prototype, works with mentors to refine invention
Friday Letter

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

  • The Ygnacio Valley High School InvenTeam,
  • Horizons Center for Independent Study 11th-grader Regina Brunson earns spot at National Gymnastics competition,
  • Mt. Diablo HS Health Occupations of America (HOSA) students continue education over spring break,
  • A county library event at the Mt. Diablo Adult Education campus,
  • School social media highlights featuring elementary and high schools,
  • Staff social media highlights featuring Technology Integration Leaders (TILs),
  • And more!

You can read it here.

Friday Letter

 

Read More about Friday Letter - April 18, 2025
MDHS makerspace

Mt. Diablo HS Digital Innovation students and their teacher Susan Verharen proudly unveiled a new makerspace on Wednesday that they designed in the school library in collaboration with library media teacher Jean Malinasky. The interactive space includes maker stations such as a Lego "Brick Lab," art-focused "Papercraft Pavilion," crochet and macrame "Fabrication Station," and "Wordsmith Studio" where students can make bookmarks, journals and other literary-themed treasures. The space also includes a button machine and "Cricut" cuttiing machine that students can use to create buttons or other design projects such as stickers.

"Last spring Ms. Malinasky had a vision to create a space in the library where students could use their creativity in bookmaking, fine arts, fiber arts and constructing physical objects for enrichment, class projects, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) without the use of technology," said Verharen, whose seniors in the Career Technology Education (CTE) Technology Pathway took on the project as a work-based learning experience, with Malinasky as their "client." 

'The students used the design engineering process to ideate, research, define project’s goals and the deliverables to create the library makerspace while Ms. Malinasky provided feedback and approvals to keep with her vision," Verharen said. "The furniture layout was designed by the class using 2D vector drawing software. All marketing materials and signage was designed by the class using Canva. To add to the decor, our fine arts and multimedia student art is displayed on the walls." 

To tie the makerspace in with the school curriculum, the students and teachers created an 18-page google doc that lists projects by subject area. For example, science students can make paper roller coasters, history students can make replicas of historical artifacts and language arts students can make character dioramas. They are hoping teachers will visit with their classes to see all the options available, which also include making beaded bracelets, key chains, Ninja stars made of popsicle sticks and origami. The projects can give students a sense of accomplishment, help them remember what they learned in class, and provide a quiet activity that can help calm them down if they're feeling stressed.

The students who designed the makerspace said it was a challenging, but fun project and they are eager to teach other students how to use it. Board Vice President Cherise Khaund, who toured the space on Wednesday, was impressed. "I just love seeing the opportunity for student-led creativity and design that's accessible to students throughout the school," she said. The makerspace will be open to students during lunch, and for after school clubs with teacher supervision, Verharen said. Staff may also consider using the space for team-buiding activities. Malinasky said she believes the makerspace could be a model that other schools could replicate and she invites colleagues from throughout the District to come and visit.

More photos from the grand opening are here.

MDHS makerspace

 

Read More about Mt. Diablo HS digital innovation class teams up with librarian to create school "makerspace"
Friday Letter

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

  • New Makerspace at Mt. Diablo High School,
  • Ygnacio Valley HS and Mt. Diablo HS robotics teams recognized by Concord City Council;
  • Ygnacio Valley HS senior Sa’rye Starks is named an Inspirational Athlete by Cal-Hi Sports after advocating for greater recognition of girls sports,
  • 4 MDUSD athletes named to All-Bay Area News Group’s basketball teams,
  • A visit to Robert Shearer Preschool by Bob Shearer’s family,
  • Robert Shearer Preschool and Gregory Gardens Elementary students and staff recognize Autism Acceptance Day and some Gregory Gardens students recognize end of Ramadan,
  • El Dorado Middle School’s multicultural fashion show,
  • Pleasant Hill Middle School’s college and career display,
  • Concord High School’s spirited March Madness basketball game,
  • The Horizons/Prospect Graduation Fair,
  • High School counselors and advisors visit Cal Maritime to learn about upcoming merger with Cal Poly,
  • Director of Purchasing and Warehouse featured in CA Assoc. of School Business Officials' Spring magazine;
  • And more!

You can read it here

Friday Letter

 

Read More about Friday Letter - April 4, 2025
Teacher Residency Program

Transformative program creates affordable pathway to teaching while addressing critical classroom needs in Contra Costa County

The Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) is proud to announce a partnership with Saint Mary’s College Kalmanovitz School of Education (KSOE) to implement an innovative Teacher Residency Program. This collaborative initiative is designed to make earning a teaching credential more affordable and accessible while addressing critical teacher shortages.

MDUSD received a Teacher Residency Grant through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing that provides each teacher resident with a stipend to help offset tuition costs. This financial support makes the pathway to teaching significantly more accessible for aspiring educators who might otherwise face cost barriers.

"We are excited about the opportunity to increase the resources and options available to future educators while also maintaining our focus on improving quality instruction and high expectations for all of our students," states Dr. Wendi Aghily, Chief, Pupil Services and Special Education for MDUSD. "This is an investment in the future that can have ripple effects for years to come."

The program integrates a full year of coursework on the Saint Mary's campus with concurrent in-classroom student teaching under the guidance of experienced MDUSD mentor teachers. This integrated approach ensures that theoretical knowledge is applied in real classroom settings, enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of the resident teachers' education while providing valuable support to MDUSD students.

Dr. S. Marshall Perry, KSOE Interim Dean, highlights the educational excellence at the core of the program: "The partnership with Mt. Diablo exemplifies our Lasallian commitment to providing transformative education that prepares teachers for the complex realities of today's classrooms. Our distinctive curriculum, combined with an immersive classroom experience, ensures that teacher residents develop not only subject matter expertise but also the cultural competency, adaptive teaching skills, and reflective practice essential for educating the whole person.”

Upon successful completion of the program, residents will earn a California preliminary single-subject (math or science) or multiple-subject teaching credential, with an option to add a Bilingual Spanish Authorization certificate. 

Additional benefits include:

  • Tuition stipend
  • Individualized mentorship
  • Guaranteed substitute teaching opportunities
  • Priority consideration for teaching positions within MDUSD

The program demonstrates both institutions' commitment to increasing teacher diversity to better represent the communities they serve. By creating more accessible pathways to teaching credentials, the partnership aims to develop a teacher workforce that brings diverse perspectives and cultural competencies to the classroom and community.

Those interested in learning more about the program are invited to attend an online MDUSD Residency Information Session on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 4 pm. Register here for this online information session. 

Additional information about the program, including how to apply, can be found here

Questions about the MDUSD Teacher Residency Program can be directed to Saint Mary's KSOE Admissions team at ksoeapply@stmarys-ca.edu or 925-631-4700.

About Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Mt. Diablo Unified School District serves approximately 30,000 students at over 50 school sites in the communities of Concord, Pleasant Hill, Clayton, Bay Point, Pittsburg, and parts of Walnut Creek, Martinez, and Lafayette. MDUSD is committed to ensuring high-quality education for all students and providing innovative programs that prepare them for success in college, career, and life.

About Saint Mary's Teacher Education Program at Kalmanovitz School of Education
The Kalmanovitz School of Education at Saint Mary's College of California is dedicated to preparing education professionals for lives of service and leadership. Guided by Lasallian values of faith, service, and community, the teaching program emphasizes inclusive excellence, social justice, and transformative education. These Lasallian principles inform a curriculum that fosters concern for the poor and social justice, respect for all persons, quality education, and an inclusive community. With a strong emphasis on equity in education, the school offers comprehensive programs that blend theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. The Kalmanovitz School of Education is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and is known for its innovative approaches to teacher preparation that respond to the evolving needs of diverse students, families, and communities.

St. Mary's Residency Program

 

Read More about Mt. Diablo Unified School District Announces New Teacher Residency Partnership with Saint Mary’s College: Information session is April 22
Friday Letter

This week's Friday Letter Spotlights:

  • A guest spotlight of the Elementary Honor and Middle School Choir Concert by Music Teacher Michelle Hackel
  • MDUSD High School Choir Festival on Wednesday, April 2 
  • District News highlighting No School on Monday, March 31 for the Cesar Chavez Holiday, the MDUSD Board recognizes April as Arab American Heritage Month, and Spring Recess is April 7-14
  • This week's Resource for Immigrant Families is The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), which was founded in 1986 to advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees
  • School news highlighting Ygnacio Valley High School and Northgate High School students gathering to discuss the issue of hate speech in schools during Northgate’s Wellness Day
  • And more!

You can read it here

Friday Letter

 

Read More about Friday Letter - March 28, 2025
Elementary Honor Choir and MS Choir performance

Guest column by Michelle Hackel, MDUSD Music Teacher

The 3rd Annual Elementary Honor Choir and Middle School Choir was held Monday, March 24th at Concord High School and featured selected students from 13 elementary school choirs along with choirs from Pleasant Hill, Foothill and El Dorado middle schools. The concert also included an opening number by the Concord High School Honey Tones.

Mount Diablo Music Education Foundation (MDMEF) sponsors this event annually. MDMEF, established in 2009, has given over $217,000.00 in grants and other financial support to music programs throughout MDUSD, and purchased music for the singers and provided event T-shirts for the elementary students for this concert. Foundation funds also brought in guest conductor Katherine Nash-Coan, who holds a Masters degree in Choral Conducting, is a former MDUSD teacher and the current choir director in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. Her energy and talent in bringing singers together was evident in the avid attention she received from over 100 fourth- and fifth-grade students from across the district during the pre-concert rehearsal, their first time ever singing together.

Concord High’s Honey Tones, directed by event host Anthony West, sang “Jom-Ayuh-Mari!” by Tracy Wong, followed by Dawn O’Connell conducting the Pleasant Hill MS Choir in “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” by Mark Hayes. Then Sally Anderson took the stage to lead her Foothill MS Griffin Choir in “The Dream Keeper,” by Rollo Dillworth, and her Concert Choir in “Dulaman,” by Cristi Cary Miller. The El Dorado MS Choir, led by Andy La, presented a haunting rendition of “In This Ancient House,” by Ruth Morris Gray. The Elementary Honor Choir sang two songs: “All the Beautiful Colors,” arranged by Mary Donnelly and George L.O. Strid, and “I Met a Bird,” by Jim Papoulis. Finally, all the choirs took the stage together, joined also by singers from Kenneth Hutchinson’s Oak Grove MS Choir, to conclude with an inspiring performance of “Sisi Ni Moja (We Are One),” by Jacob Neverud.

This concert brings MDUSD students together to celebrate and share the joy of singing. The event would not have been possible without the dedication of Bonnie Shea, Lead Teacher for the district’s Elementary Vocal and General Music team. In addition to Shea, elementary music teachers who brought singers to the event this year included Michelle Hackel, Jessica Gourlay, Emily Blackshore, Catherine Grant, Amanda Smythe, Danielle Haffner, David Wright (who accompanied on the flute) and Stella Brown (who performed as a collaborative pianist). Richard Lyon was present to assist, and the audience included District Office administrators Kellie Hoover and Erin DeMartini, as well as MDMEF Board Members. 

The annual concert provides teachers with a chance for meaningful collaboration, the families and community members the opportunity to see the value of choral music education, and the singers, the benefit and challenge of participating in a large, high profile performance experience. We especially love to see how inspired our younger singers are by seeing the choral possibilities in their future at the middle and high school.

Elementary Honor Choir and MS Choir performance

Guest Conductor Katherine Nash-Coan leads MDUSD combined choirs in March 24, 2025 performance.

Read More about 3rd Annual MDUSD Elementary Honor Choir and MS Choir concert highlights music education

Fast Facts

29,064

Students attended MDUSD schools in 2023-24

21.6%

of our students were English Learners in 2023-24.

50+

schools and programs serve MDUSD preschool through adult education students including 4 CA Distinguished Schools.

1,700

teachers work in MDUSD, including one who was named a CA Teacher of the Year in 2024.