SONOMA VALLEY, CA — Fifth-graders in Sonoma Valley public schools will have access to a band instrument this school year as the district brings back year-round fifth-grade band and rolls out new academic programs aimed at strengthening math and reading skills.
Sonoma Valley Unified School District students return to classrooms Monday, Aug. 17, with early-release schedules for students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade Aug. 17-19.
The opening also marks Superintendent Jason Sutter's first start of a school year at the helm of SVUSD. Sutter took over as superintendent March 1.
Beyond the leadership change, students will encounter several new programs when they return, including an instrument lending library, expanded music instruction, additional middle school math support, and a districtwide reading challenge for students in grades 2-5.
Every fifth-grade student in Sonoma Valley public schools will have access to a band instrument through a new lending library funded by the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation.
Students will receive instruments in August and return them each summer for cleaning and repairs, allowing the district to provide instruments to successive classes of fifth-graders.
The lending library also supports the return of a year-round fifth-grade band program at each elementary school.
SVUSD music teachers will teach the classes, while new statewide arts education funding will allow the district to expand their instructional hours.
The program removes one potential barrier for students who want to participate in music: buying or renting their own instruments.
Sonoma Valley Education Foundation is also launching a program that combines summer instruction with additional math support during the regular school year.
Rising sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders were invited to participate this summer in Elevate Math, which offered 20 half-day sessions designed to build math skills and confidence while introducing concepts students will encounter during the coming school year.
Once classes resume, professional tutors will work alongside middle school math teachers and provide frequent small-group instruction to students who need additional help.
The initiative aims to strengthen students' math skills and improve test scores.
Every SVUSD student in grades 2-5 will participate in the Read On, Sonoma! reading challenge during the 2026-27 school year.
Students will receive personalized reading goals each trimester based on their STAR diagnostic results. The Accelerated Reader program will track their progress, and students can earn prizes as they work toward their goals.
Students participating in Read On, Sonoma! in similar districts are reading more than a full grade level above the national average across grade levels while also showing strong comprehension in program quizzes.
Several existing enrichment and support programs will continue, including Sonoma Splash, college access and career training programs, mentoring through the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, and musical enrichment through VIVO Youth Orchestras.
The Empowerment Academy will also continue serving students from Sonoma Valley and Creekside high schools four days a week.
The joint Teen Services and Sonoma Valley Education Foundation program provides homework assistance, tutoring, job-readiness training, driver's education, financial literacy instruction, and leadership programs on the high school campus.
Last year, 28 percent of the district's high school students participated in the Empowerment Academy, according to the district.
The Aug. 17 opening will give Sutter his first opportunity to welcome students back for a new school year as SVUSD superintendent.
Sutter began leading the district March 1, meaning the 2026-27 academic year will be the first to start under his leadership.
A busy calendar already awaits Sutter and district staff.
Before students arrive, district officials have two public meetings scheduled.
The district's 7-11 Committee will meet Wednesday, at 4:30 p.m. in the SVUSD District Office boardrooms.
The SVUSD Board of Trustees will hold its regular meeting Thursday in the Sonoma City Council Chambers. The open session is scheduled to begin at about 6 p.m.
Then, on Aug. 17, students return to campuses across Sonoma Valley for the first day of the 2026-27 school year.
Families should also plan for early release during each of the first three days of school, Aug. 17-19, for students in TK through 12th grade.
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