Serving over 206,000 students across Fresno County, The Foundation @ FCOE raised over $1.6 million in 2023-2024 to support programs and services that ensure students obtain a well-rounded education with Excellence, Access, and Innovation at the forefront.
Excellence: To support academic and co-curricular student events coordinated by the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, such as Academic Decathlon, College Night, Science Fair, Spelling Bee, Young Authors’ Faire, and Career Tech Expo.
Access: To help fund countywide programs that promote opportunities for student success, such as early care and education, empowerment and equity supports, graduation rate improvement, college and career-tech readiness, libraries, technology and more.
Innovation: To provide grants to school programs across the county that demonstrate innovation and improve student educational success.
An 8th grader at Washington Colony Elementary School, Layla is an exceptional Golden Patriot student who has been enrolled in Washington Colony since kindergarten. Layla has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout all of middle school. She is a dedicated student-athlete who participates in multiple sports throughout the year and has also been a member of the middle school band. Layla goes above and beyond, not only academically but also in her social life. She is a true example of what a Patriot stands for. She is respectful, responsible, prepared and always follows directions.
Five local students are beginning their college journeys with new technology and resources to help them stay connected and succeed in college. The Foundation @ FCOE, in partnership with the FCSS Foster and Homeless Youth Education Services Department, recently distributed laptops to five students who graduated from high school and are continuing their education at colleges and universities. The laptops are part of the Tech Bridge: Bridging Gaps, Building Futures project, an initiative designed to provide technology to students who have experienced foster care or homelessness as they transition from high school to higher education.
An incoming senior at Sierra High School, Madison is an exceptional scholar-athlete who ranks second in her class with a 4.43 GPA. She has taken several dual-enrollment college courses alongside her high school honors and AP courses, meeting all academic standards with exemplary marks, all resulting from diligent work habits. While completing the Marketing and Business Leadership CTE pathway, Madison has excelled in learning Canva, Google Workspace and Canvas, demonstrating her creativity through media posts and campus promotional materials. Madison has been a member of the Associated Student Body Leadership program since junior high at Sierra Junior Senior High School. During this period, she has served the Class of 2027 as class representative, secretary, and vice president.
The Foundation @ FCOE is now accepting applications for the 2026 Innovation Grants, providing Fresno County educators with an opportunity to bring creative ideas and innovative learning experiences to their students. The Innovation Grants are designed to encourage fresh approaches to teaching and learning by supporting projects that enhance student development, academic achievement, and engagement. The Foundation aims to award one grant of up to $1,000 to each school district in Fresno County, helping educators turn innovative ideas into impactful programs that benefit students.
Mendota High School has been awarded the Marvin Meyers Agriculture Education Grant to establish a student-driven aquaponics system that will provide hands-on learning experiences while promoting sustainable agriculture. The innovative project will engage students in every stage of the process, from researching and designing the system to testing, monitoring, and managing the integrated plant and aquatic environments.
As a senior at Selma High School, Dulce is an outstanding leader and scholar, holding the rank of Cadet First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps while ranking 13th out of 407 students with an impressive 4.10 GPA. She ranks 1st in her MCJROTC class, earning 94.7%, placing her in the top 25% academically both in JROTC and school wide. She was also recognized on the Principal’s Honor Roll and as Student of the Month, earning the respect of students, staff, and community members alike. Now in her third year of MCJROTC, she has demonstrated dedication, commitment and enthusiasm since day one.
Adriana truly embodies what it means to be a shining star at Sanger West. She consistently demonstrates determination, leadership and a positive spirit in all that she does. Adriana arrives early, stays late and gives her best each day while balancing academics and a wide range of extracurricular activities. As a founding member of Sanger West Special Olympics, Adriana helped build opportunities for students while demonstrating her commitment to involvement and leadership. What makes Adriana especially remarkable is the way she goes about her day with a constant smile, a positive attitude and a joyful presence that brightens her campus.
Outstanding educators from across Fresno County were recognized as the 2026 Terrific Teachers for their dedication to students, commitment to excellence, and lasting impact in the classroom and in the lives of their students. The annual recognition celebrates teachers who go above and beyond to create supportive learning environments, inspire student success, and strengthen their school communities. The Terrific Teachers were surprised with classroom visits and recognized among their students and colleagues during Teacher Appreciation Week.