MENIFEE — Six Menifee Union School District (MUSD) schools have earned seven honors in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Elementary and Middle Schools rankings, released Oct. 20, 2026. The recognition places five district schools among the top 40% of elementary schools and two among the top 40% of middle schools in California, highlighting strong academic achievement across MUSD campuses.
The following schools earned recognition in the 2027 rankings:
Best Elementary Schools
- Táawila Elementary School
- Herk Bouris Elementary School
- Chester W. Morrison Elementary School
- Quail Valley Elementary School
- Harvest Hill STEAM Academy (TK-8)
Best Middle Schools
- Harvest Hill STEAM Academy (TK-8)
- Menifee Valley Middle School
Harvest Hill STEAM Academy, which serves students in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade, earned recognition in both the elementary and middle school categories, bringing the district’s total to seven honors across six campuses.
Upon learning of the recognition, Quail Valley Elementary Principal Lily Peña shared, “I couldn’t be prouder of our Wolfpack! Being recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of California’s top-performing schools is something our entire school community can celebrate. Over my past 10 years as principal, I’ve had the privilege of watching our students grow, our teachers and staff go above and beyond, and our families show up for our school time and time again. This recognition means so much because I know how hard everyone works to make Quail Valley a place where students feel supported, challenged, and excited to learn. We have always believed in the potential of every child, and we will continue doing everything we can to help our students succeed. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for our Wolfpack.”
The U.S. News & World Report rankings are determined independently using publicly available educational performance data rather than applications or nominations. The rankings primarily evaluate student achievement in mathematics and reading, while considering student demographics and socioeconomic backgrounds. This approach highlights schools achieving exceptional academic results relative to the student bodies they serve.
For families and the broader community, the recognition provides an additional measure of academic performance and an opportunity to celebrate the work taking place in MUSD classrooms.
“There is something special about seeing our schools recognized for the great work happening in classrooms every day,” said J. Kyle Root, MUSD Board president. “These achievements reflect the hard work of our students, the care and commitment of our teachers and staff, and the support of our families. As a Board, we are incredibly proud of our school communities and look forward to seeing our students continue to grow and succeed.”
As MUSD celebrates this achievement, the district remains focused on expanding educational opportunities, strengthening student learning, and supporting success at every school.
About Menifee Union School District: With schools dating back to the 1880s, Menifee Union School District serves over 12,600 students across 17 physical campuses and 1 virtual campus. MUSD innovatively serves students from preschool through 8th grade. MUSD is led by its 12th Superintendent, Dr. Jennifer Root, and is governed by a Board of Education composed of five publicly elected officials who serve their respective trustee areas.
