Fullerton
School District
Great Schools, Successful Kids
Fullerton School District Becomes First in the Western US with All Schools Named as Apple Distinguished Schools
FSD students engaged in a STEM Nation competition on district-issued iPads at the 2025 FSD Fest.
All 20 schools in the Fullerton School District (FSD) have been recognized as Apple Distinguished Schools for the 2025–2028 program term. This makes FSD the only district west of Texas where every school has earned this prestigious global distinction.
Schools are selected as Apple Distinguished Schools based on their commitment to continuous innovation in education and their use of Apple technology to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning. As described in the program notes, Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of leadership and educational excellence, with a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals. These schools have demonstrated documented academic results and serve as models of innovation for others around the world.
“This recognition reflects the incredible work of our teachers, leaders, and students, who embrace technology not as an add-on, but as a powerful tool for creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving,” Jeremy Davis, FSD Assistant Superintendent of Innovation and Instructional Support, said.
“Being named an Apple Distinguished School across all 20 of our campuses is a testament to our district’s shared vision of preparing students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
Beginning in Transitional Kindergarten, FSD students have technology integrated into teaching and learning.
FSD was among the first districts west of the Mississippi to implement one-to-one student laptops in 2004, underscoring its commitment to preparing students with 21st-century skills. The district began implementing Apple technology in classrooms in 2010 and began scaling out one-to-one student iPads by the 2013-14 school year.
Additionally, November 2024 saw FSD become the first district in Orange County to provide all teachers with professional learning on artificial intelligence, supporting its use to enhance teaching, improve efficiency, and introduce classroom applications.
Understanding that with the implementation of technology access across all grades also comes great responsibility, Davis underscored FSD’s commitment to ensuring its use is safe, balanced, and purposeful. The district places an emphasis on digital literacy and digital wellness for students and limiting screen time to educational opportunities that enhance learning. Creation is prioritized over consumption, Davis explained.
To further support safe engagement, FSD has implemented dynamic and evolving internet filters that adapt to new online challenges, while also helping students maintain access to the content they need for teaching and learning. These safeguards, among many others that FSD deploys, ensure that technology empowers students to think critically, collaborate, and create, while protecting their well-being and preparing them to navigate the digital world responsibly.
FSD educators working together at FSD’s 2024 Staff Development Day, where teachers brought their district-issued Mac devices to learn more about artificial intelligence.
Globally, Apple Distinguished Schools use iPads and Macs to transform learning. By incorporating technology into lessons, teachers empower students to lead, learn, and succeed and to discover new opportunities to make their world a better place.
This recognition also connects FSD schools to a worldwide network of forward-thinking schools, opening opportunities to collaborate, share, and learn from innovative practices across the globe.
“We believe Apple Distinguished Schools are some of the most innovative institutions in the world,” Apple shared in its 2025 program handbook.
“The Apple Distinguished Schools program supports forward-thinking education leaders and their communities who are using Apple technology to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning.”
To learn more about the Apple Distinguished School program, visit www.apple.com/education/k12/apple-distinguished-schools/, and for more information on the Fullerton School District, visit fullertonsd.org.
Tune into this FSD Feature showcasing our hard-working Innovation and Instructional Support tech team that helps ensure we can do all we do with Apple technology!