August 8, 2025

Numbers are up across the board at Hughson Schools as each site kicks off the 2025-2026 school year.

At Hughson Elementary School, 629 students are enrolled this year, up from 590 students at the close of the 2024-2025 school year. Along with new students, eight new teachers and a new principal’s secretary, enjoyed their first day at Hughson Elementary School. “The new staff handled the first day just like our veteran staff, like true professionals. They dried tears, motivated and excited students and even donned their new school attire,” Principal Megan Reisz said.

But that’s not all. Students at Hughson Elementary School, as well as Fox Road Elementary School, will also be able to participate in a new elementary music program made possible through Prop 28 grant funds, ensuring that each class will have music on a weekly basis.

“This year, I am most looking forward to getting into the daily routines that school provides and then building relationships with both staff and students. I love to watch the learning happen, and the best part is that I get to, daily,” Reisz said. “I get the best feeling as students come on campus, either independently because they want to show their family how big they are, or with the family by their side. They take the pictures, and everyone meets the teacher. The campus is full of families, and everyone is so excited. I also love the potential that the next 180 days hold. We get to make a difference, and we have 180 days to do so.”

288 students are enrolled this year at Fox Road Elementary School, an increase of just one student since the spring. Fox Road Elementary begins the 2025-2026 school year with a new mission: "We will engage all students, academically, socially and emotionally to inspire learning and encourage leadership."

To carry out this mission, the school is using a new built-in platform to review students systematically to ensure that students receive interventions or enrichments to enhance their learning. In the new music program, each class will receive a half hour of music a week in addition to band. 

“The first day was amazing with staff, students, and our families sharing how excited they were to start. Our new staff received great professional development to orient them to both Hughson Unified as well as the school. They also have wonderful colleagues who are always willing to offer support,” Fox Road Elementary Principal Jeff Persons said. “I am excited about all of our plans to support the students academically and socially. We have a wonderful community at Fox, and it was really reflected in how well the first day went.”

Incoming 4th graders did not come on campus cold, but were able to experience a taste of campus life and Fox Road Elementary assemblies with an orientation assembly last spring. During the orientation, they were able to meet teachers/staff, get a tour of campus, and get them ready for the year ahead. Persons saw students grow more comfortable and excited for the school year to begin. “It is always great to see our former fourth graders now be ‘leaders in the school,’” he said. “It was really an exciting day, from start to finish!”

Ross Middle School Principal Mary La Rosa said the school has added 20 students and has a waitlist for every grade level. “We are packed,” La Rosa said enthusiastically about the first day. “It was electric! Our WEB and Leadership students welcomed our staff and students with LOTS of energy!”

Together, they welcomed 164 new Huskies and four new teachers to campus. With new faces and that first full day of team building, the beginning of the year is an exciting time. “I am looking forward to connecting with our new family at HUSD! Building relationships is vital,” La Rosa said. “This is my 30th year at HUSD. I still get first-day jitters, but I love the energy that comes with seeing our students and families. Hughson is such a special place, and I feel blessed to be surrounded by the community of Hughson and the RMS staff.”

Hughson High School added 60 students to its roster this year, for a grand total of 922.

New staff took the reins from longtime teachers. “This group are rockstars,” Hughson High Principal Loren Lighthall said. “We have a new drama, ELA, math, and Ag teachers.”

Lighthall said this year will include a greater emphasis on curbing cell phone use in class by requiring students to keep cell phones stored in their backpacks throughout class.

The theater remodel is complete, and construction is just beginning for the 40-wing. With portable restaurants on site, Lighthall quipped that the portable bathrooms on campus now are “nicer than the bathrooms we are rehabbing.” But once construction is complete, that may no longer be the case.

And while space feels temporarily tighter with buildings under construction and more students on campus, Lighthall said, “it’s great to see happy kids rocking their favorite fit and interacting with everyone.”

As the new year begins, Lighthall is looking forward to more wins in sports, FFA and “everything else we participate in. Seeing kids and just being a small part of their day and lives.”