The honor highlights the District’s approach and commitment to championing student voice and ensuring it plays a central role in shaping how AI is implemented across campuses.

At the 27th Annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest awards ceremony on Friday, March 13, Meital Kochinski, a sophomore at Northwood High School, secured first place in the prose category.

This award honors students who have demonstrated exceptional resilience by overcoming significant personal challenges while continuing to pursue academic and personal success. 

IUSD’s nominations span into each category, which includes theater, dance, instrumental music, vocal music, film and TV, media arts and fine arts.

University High School’s boys soccer team won the inaugural CIF State Division IV Championship with a 3–2 victory over Del Mar High School in Sacramento.

Lakeside, Rancho San Joaquin, Sierra Vista, South Lake and Venado middle schools, along with Irvine and Woodbridge high schools, have been named 2026 California Distinguished Schools. This designation is the state’s top honor for schools. 

For the seventh time in nine years, University High School’s Science Bowl team won the regional competition!

Congratulations to Jooha Lee, an eighth-grader from Beacon Park K-8 School, for placing third in the Orange County Spelling Bee! He was eliminated in round 11 on the word “pileus,” an umbrella-shaped cap found on many fungi such as mushrooms, and earned a $100 cash prize.

University High took home first place in the Varsity Song/Pom Intermediate Small Finals and secured second place in the Varsity Show Cheer Advanced Non-Tumbling Small Finals.

 IUSD secured the highest number of teams advancing to the State Competition from Orange County, with Sierra Vista Middle School placing first for the fifth consecutive year.