The Banning Unified School District, one of the oldest districts in Riverside County, serves a three hundred square mile area. It encompasses Cabazon, White Water, Poppet Flats, and the Morongo Indian Reservation, as well as the city of Banning. 

The San Gorgonio School District was formed in 1877 and later became the Banning Unified School District. There were 14 children enrolled when the first school opened in a one-room shack. The school moved several times and burned to the ground once before 1907 when a new stucco building was built on Williams Street and a separate high school was started. The Williams Street building is still in use as the Banning district office and administration center.

The district educates nearly 4,500 students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Banning Unified School District has one early childhood education center, four elementary schools,  one middle school, one comprehensive high school, one continuation high school, and one independent study school. The district is one of the largest employers in the city of Banning with over 500 employees.

Banning Unified School District is a diverse community that collaborates to develop responsible, respectful, and prepared students to achieve their full potential.

Banning Unified School District's vision is to prepare, inspire, and educate

1.  Accelerate Student Achievement
2.  Maintain Fiscal Responsibility and Long-Term Financial Viability
3.  Maintain Effective Communication and Accountability of All Systems