Our History

Westminster School District (WSD), established in 1872, proudly serves the communities of Westminster, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, and Midway City. Over its 150-year history, WSD has grown from a single-room schoolhouse into a dynamic district encompassing 17 schools, including 14 elementary schools and 3 middle schools.

WSD has been a pioneer in bilingual education. It was the first district in California to offer a Vietnamese-English Dual Language Immersion Program, a reflection of its commitment to supporting the cultural and linguistic diversity of its community. Similarly, Willmore Elementary hosts a thriving Spanish-English Dual Language Immersion Program, creating pathways to bilingualism, biliteracy, and academic excellence for all students.
Both programs have been honored with the prestigious California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) Seal of Excellence Award, recognizing the district’s outstanding leadership and commitment to multilingual education.

Westminster School District is also proud of its historical connection to the Mendez and Munemitsu families. Their collaboration during a pivotal time helped shape educational equality nationwide. The courageous efforts associated with the Mendez v. Westminster case contributed to ending school segregation in California and inspired the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling that reshaped education across the United States. WSD continues to honor this legacy by championing equity, diversity, and inclusive learning environments for every student.

Demonstrating its dedication to excellence at all grade levels, WSD’s three middle schools — Johnson Middle School, Warner Middle School, and Stacey Middle School — have each been recognized on the esteemed Schools to Watch list. This distinction highlights WSD's focus on creating high-performing, developmentally responsive, and socially equitable middle school programs.

Further cementing its reputation as a forward-thinking district, Westminster School District is a proud member of the League of Innovative Schools, a national network of the most progressive, future-ready school districts in the United States. Through this membership, WSD is leading efforts to bring the latest educational technology, research-based best practices, and personalized learning opportunities to all students.

Today, Westminster School District stands as a beacon of innovation, inclusion, and excellence, preparing every student for success in a global society while proudly honoring its rich history.