Welcome to Muraoka Elementary!

Muraoka Elementary School opened its doors on July 19, 2017 and is located in Otay Ranch, a middle socio-economic area. 16% of our students are Emergent Bilinguals and speak another language in the home. The school's ethnic diversity which includes African-American (10%), Asian (4.4%), Filipino (26.5%), Hispanic (39.2%), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (0.5%), Two or More Races (11.8%) and White (7.3%) is a huge asset.  Our military connected students make up 21% of our student population. The backgrounds of all students are acknowledged, respected, and incorporated into the school curriculum and activities. Al members of our Muraoka community are committed to being Model Momongas! We are Safe, Responsible, Respectful, and Kind! We encourage you to make an appointment to come visit our wonderful school!

Our Namesake

The Board of Education named our school after Saburo Muraoka (M-UU-R-AA-O-KUH), who was part of the fabric of early Chula Vista. Mr. Muraoka left his hometown in Japan and immigrated to Chula Vista in 1915, thriving in the agriculture business his father had started. He dedicated his life to consistently experimenting in pursuit of effective farming strategies. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Muraoka suffered the forced relocation to an internment camp, a fate that befell an estimated 117,000 other Japanese-Americans in the United States. After World War II, Mr. Muraoka returned to Chula Vista, rebuilt his life, his business—and community. Mr. Muraoka died in 1983.

Saburo Muraoka Elementary is San Diego’s very first school to be named after an influential Japanese-American citizen. The eye-catching two-story structure includes 36 classrooms, “makerspaces,” a stunning digital media/library space, and a multipurpose room. “The school’s design and learning environment mirror the innovative spirit of Saburo Muraoka,” said Superintendent Francisco Escobedo, Ed.D., at the school’s grand opening. “He was known to be an innovator in growing celery and cucumbers, developing unique grafting and farming techniques. Similarly, this school’s design will promote critical-thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication for our students.”