Policies regarding district/school boundaries are the responsibility of each local district governing board and are not within the jurisdiction of the California Department of Education (CDE). Each school district governing board has ultimate authority over general education processes. Parents/guardians should contact their local school district administration to share their concerns and to determine what local processes their district has in place regarding district/school boundaries. Contact information for California public schools, private schools, nonpublic and nonsectarian schools, County Offices of Education, and school districts can be found on the CDE California School Directory web page.
California’s educational system relies on local control for the management of school districts on the theory that those closest to the problems and needs of each individual district are the best able to make appropriate decisions on behalf of the district. In allocating their resources among the schools of the district, school district governing boards and district administrators must follow the law, but they also have the additional tough job of setting the educational priorities for their schools and weighing the importance and urgency of all of their education needs.
The CDE does not maintain a school boundary or district map library. A list of names of California public school districts can be found on the CDE QuickQuest web page. Each school district should have information regarding their boundaries at their district office. Individuals should contact the school district they are interested in obtaining boundary information for assistance.
District Organization Handbook
Most people see school districts as stable or even permanent governmental entities. School district boundaries, however, do change. Territory is transferred from one school district to another, districts are divided or combined with their neighbors, and some districts are terminated. The District Organization Handbook describes how these changes come about and provides reference for procedures and responsibilities for all parties involved in the school district organization process. The District Organization Handbook is available on the CDE School District Organization web page.
Questions regarding the District Organization Handbook should be directed to the Charter Apportionments and District Reorganization Office by phone at 916-324-4541.
Geographic Information Systems
The CDE does not maintain a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) map library. The U.S. Census Bureau creates special tabulations of decennial census data by school district geography. Individuals can find information and materials to review and download on the U.S. Census Bureau School District Boundaries
web page.
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