Building Safe, Supportive Schools: Every Westminster School District Elementary and Middle School Earns Statewide PBIS Recognition

September 1, 2026

At Westminster School District, creating safe schools means building environments where students feel valued, connected, supported, and ready to learn every day.

That commitment was recently recognized at the state level as all Westminster School District elementary and middle schools earned recognition through the California Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) State Recognition System for the 2025-26 school year. Fourteen schools received Platinum recognition, the highest honor awarded by California PBIS, and two schools earned Gold recognition.

The achievement reflects years of intentional work across the district to support the whole child through positive school cultures, strong relationships, and systems designed to help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

"This districtwide recognition is an incredible reflection of the dedication our employees demonstrate every day," said Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D. "Our teachers, administrators and support staff work together to build school environments where students feel welcomed, supported and ready to learn. I am extremely proud of our schools and grateful for their continued commitment to serving the whole child."

California PBIS recognizes schools that implement evidence-based practices focused on improving school climate, promoting positive behavior, and supporting students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional development. Schools are evaluated on the strength and consistency of their implementation and may earn Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum recognition.

For WSD, the recognition aligns closely with the district's broader vision for school safety and wellness. Rather than focusing solely on physical safety measures, the district's whole-child approach emphasizes belonging, trusted relationships, student well-being, family partnerships, and early intervention. The philosophy is simple: students are most successful when they feel connected and supported at school.

Across WSD campuses, PBIS provides a framework for establishing clear expectations, recognizing positive behavior, and creating learning environments where students understand what success looks like and know they have adults who care about their growth. These efforts contribute to strong school cultures that help students feel safe, respected, and engaged in their learning.

The district's Platinum-recognized schools include Clegg Elementary School, Johnson Middle School, Eastwood Elementary School, Finley Elementary School, Fryberger Elementary School, Stacey Middle School, Iva Meairs Elementary School, Hayden Elementary School, Schmitt Elementary School, Schroeder College and Career Academy, Sequoia Academy GATE Magnet Elementary School, Webber Elementary School, Warner Middle School, and Willmore Elementary School.

Anderson Elementary School and DeMille Mỹ Việt Language Academy earned Gold recognition, demonstrating their continued commitment to implementing PBIS practices that support student success and positive school culture.
While the awards recognize individual campuses, district leaders say the accomplishment belongs to an entire school community.

"This recognition belongs to everyone who contributes to the culture of our schools," Dr. Hansen added. "It demonstrates what is possible when an entire district is united around supporting students and creating a sense of belonging at every campus."

Nearly 2,700 schools across California received PBIS recognition for the 2025-26 school year, placing Westminster School District among a select group of districts where every eligible campus earned recognition.

More importantly, the achievement reflects WSD's ongoing commitment to ensuring every student learns in an environment that is safe, inclusive, and supportive. As the district continues to invest in the whole-child experience, these recognitions serve as a reminder that student success begins with creating school communities where every child feels they belong.

Learn more about our whole-child approach to safety.