A California Distinguished School, Cole Canyon Elementary is located in northwest Murrieta. Since its founding in…More 2000, it consistently scores as one of the top API achievers in Riverside County.</p> <p>The school has an involved Parent Teacher Club, with up to 50 parents active on campus during each school day, who help enrich the lives' of students through Young Writer's Conference, Book Character Day and Orange County Performing Arts Center programs.</p> <p>Feeder schools are Thompson Middle School and Murrieta Valley High School.</p>

Serving students since 2005, Antelope Hills Elementary School quickly achieved status as a California Distinguished…More School.The school sees high parent involvement. Parent-teacher Association volunteers give students exposure to fine arts through the Meets the Masters program, held during the school day.</p> <p>Other enrichment opportunities for students include drama, Good News Club, Master Minds Chess, band, student council, PLUS and Explorer seminars hosted by high school students.</p> <p>Feeder  schools are Shivela Middle School and Murrieta Mesa High School.</p>

Buchanan Elementary gets its name from Daniel Buchanan, a pioneer to the Murrieta Valley in the late 1800s who built…More the area's first one-room schoolhouse. Serving students since 2001, Buchanan is the home of the Blazers and has already blazed a new trail as a California Distinguished School.</p> <p>The administration at Buchanan hopes its graduates will portray "a sense of humanity, value diversity and treat others with kindness and respect."</p> <p>A state pre-school is also located on campus. Students from Buchanan Elementary feed into Warm Springs Middle School and Vista Murrieta High School.</p>

A three-time California Distinguished School, E. Hale Curran Elementary School is the home of the Cougars.

Thompson Middle School was the second of three middle schools to open in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District.…More As a California Distinguished School, Thompson offers regular, advanced, and intervention class levels in core subject areas. This is designed to help students prepare for success in high school and beyond.</p> <p>The Thompson Timberwolves' mission statement, TLC2, urges student to "think, learn, create and care." It is easy for students to get involved on campus, as there are more than 10 active clubs to choose from.</p> <p>Thompson students go onto high school at Murrieta Valley.</p>

Creekside High School is a continuation high school for students in grades 9 through 12 or ages 16 and up, offering…More an alternative to the larger, comprehensive high schools in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District.</p> <p>Creekside High School prides itself on offering "an academically challenging program in an environment that is small, personal, creative and caring." </p> <p>The smaller class sizes benefit students who are working to recover credits they may have gotten behind in when attending a traditional high school setting. Students can earn a high school diploma, GED or California High School Proficiency Certificate, as well as earn community college credits.</p> <p>Creekside High School had the second highest API score among continuation schools in Riverside County for the 2009-2010 school year.</p>

Tovashal Elementary (tovashal means "white oak" in Native American) opened in 1999 and was later named a California…More Distinguished School. The home of the Tigersharks, Tovashal students are taught the Principal's Rule of Respect: "to respect themselves and others though character-building activities."</p> <p>A Tovashal Talent Show and Dr. Seuss Day are just some of the extra activities students look forward to each year, as well as periodic Family Fun Nights. And every year since it opened, Tovashal has held a Kindergarten Mother's Day Tea.</p> <p>Before and after-school care for students is located on campus for a fee.</p> <p>Tovashal students go on to attend Thompson Middle School and Murrieta Valley High School.</p>

The Avaxat Alligators pride themselves on being the A-Team. Under the direction of Principal David Ciabattini, the…More school's motto is "Learn more, respect all," with a vision to prepare all students to live their dreams.</p> <p>The campus offers many programs for the benefit of the community. Extended Day before- and after-school care is located on site for students in grades K-5, from 6:30am to 6:30pm. A Child Development Center is available for children six weeks through 4 years, and an award-winning School Readiness Program prepares 4-year-olds for kindergarten.</p> <p>Located in north Murrieta, Avaxat is a California Distinguished School and part of the Murrieta Valley Unified School District.</p> <p>Avaxat students feed into Shivela Middle School and Murrieta Valley High School.</p>

The third elementary school built in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, Alta Murrieta is a three-time…More California Distinguished School, first receiving the honor in 2000.</p> <p>Principal Terry Picchiottino asks staff and students to "Acquire the ALTA Attitude: Aspiring, Learning, Thinking and Achieving."</p> <p>Alta Murrieta has a comprehensive GATE program, including optional participation in Odyssey of the Mind. Student clubs include art, running and dance.</p> <p>Besides housing areas for students to play soccer, baseball, volleyball basketball and wall ball, the school also features an indoor rock climbing wall.</p> <p>Extended Day before- and after-school care is offered for students in grades K-5, from 6:30am to 6:30pm.</p> <p>Alta Murrieta students feed into Warm Springs Middle School and Vista Murrieta High School.</p>

Rail Ranch Elementary is named in honor of the Floyd Rail family, one of the original pioneers of Murrieta. In 1885,…More district records show the first Murrieta school opened in Floyd Rail's barn. Today, Rail Ranch Elementary is the home of the Red-tailed Hawks. As a tradition, students, staff and many parents gather each Friday morning to sing the school song and recognize student accomplishments.</p> <p>The school's mission is to develop leaders who CARE, growing the traits of compassion, achievement, responsibility and excellence. Parents are encouraged to partner in their children's academic success. An engaged PTA helps support the school, such as purchasing awnings for the school's outdoor amphitheater. The PTA's history at Rail Ranch is rich, including being named a California Outstanding PTA in 1996.</p> <p>On-site before and after school care is available for a fee.</p>