Folsom Cordova Unified School District eyes seven new schools in 10 years
The Folsom Cordova Unified School District plans to open seven new schools over the next decade to keep pace with enrollment growth in Folsom and Rancho Cordova, according to district spokesperson Angela Griffin.
The proposed campuses include three high schools, two middle schools and two elementary schools, with a timeline ranging from 2027 to 2036.
District officials said new schools are needed as student enrollment continues to rise, particularly at the high school level, where capacity is projected to exceed available space by the end of the decade.
FCUSD, which serves about 22,000 students, is also exploring a districtwide bond measure to help pay for an estimated $4.1 billion in facility needs, including both new construction and repairs to existing campuses.
Here’s what Folsom and Rancho Cordova residents need to now.
What are current FCUSD capacity levels? Future projections?
About 9,700 students are enrolled in FCUSD elementary schools, Griffin said, representing 83% of the district’s elementary school capacity. That figure is projected to increase to 86.2% by the 2030-31 school year.
The district’s four middle schools are operating at a combined 80.4% capacity, with nearly 4,800 students enrolled. Capacity is projected to reach 92.3% by 2030.
FCUSD’s three comprehensive high schools are currently at 92.2% capacity, with about 6,600 students enrolled. High school capacity is projected to reach 110.6% by 2030.
Vista del Lago High School and Folsom High School are expected to face the greatest crowding pressures. Vista del Lago is currently at 103.5% capacity and is projected to be at 99% capacity by 2030. Folsom High is currently at 99.7% capacity and is projected to reach 141.3% capacity by 2030.
FCUSD operates 22 elementary schools, four middle schools, three comprehensive high schools, seven alternative schools and one charter school, according to the district’s website.
How many schools are needed? What’s the timeline?
The district expects to open seven new schools over the next decade, Griffin said:
- 2027, new small specialty high school, west
- 2028, new elementary school, east
- 2029, new comprehensive high school phase 1, east
- 2031, new elementary school, west
- 2032, new middle school, east
- 2034, new high school phase 1, west
- 2036, new middle school, west
“It is important to note that as growth ebbs and flows, we will update these projections,” Griffin wrote in an email.
How are schools funded?
New schools are typically funded through a combination of developer fees, district bond funds and state matching funds, Griffin said.
Rancho Cordova voters approved Measures R and S in 2024, authorizing general obligation bonds for school renovations, according to a district handout. Folsom schools have not generated local bond funding since 2014.
“(With) the scale of need ahead — $4.1 billion over the next decade for both new construction and existing (facilities) needs — requires a new local funding commitment,” Griffin wrote in an email.
The FCUSD facilities comprehensive plan states about $2.5 billion in costs are identified for future schools, including contingency.
Griffin said the district is exploring a districtwide bond measure to help close funding gaps.
“The district has never passed a District-wide bond measure,” Griffin wrote in an email. “A district-wide bond measure would allow FCUSD to invest dollars in both existing facilities needs across Folsom and Rancho Cordova, as well as invest in new school construction.”
To help manage projected costs, Griffin said the district is phasing projects. District officials also refinanced existing school bonds, saving taxpayers more than $10 million.
