The Menifee Union School District has roots dating back to the 1800s. The first schoolhouse was built in 1883 by some of the local men in the area. It was a small building with benches for seats and a table and chair for the instructor. This school was located next to the Old San Diego County Rd., about half a mile south of Newport Rd. on Bradley Rd.
On March 31, 1890, the old "Antelope School," under the purview of the San Diego School District, received one and a half acres of land from William W. Snoddy for the new school site on the southwest corner of Newport and Bradley Roads. This 1890 building had a spacious entry on the north, a large glass room on the west, another large room on the east and a stage in between. The Vale Union High School used this east room beginning in 1891.
The first Paloma School, was located on the north side of Scott Road about one half-mile east of Briggs Road. This building was later moved east to one of the Holland places on Scott Road. In the diary of George Davenport, the new Everton School is mentioned. The school was opened September 14, 1891. It is believed that the name Everton was changed to Antelope. Antelope School was used until the highway was improved to make Highway 395. The Antelope building was later moved to Briggs and Holland Roads where it fell into disrepair. No classes were held at this site. The second Paloma school, was located at Garbani and Leon Roads in the early 1890s and then moved to the Antelope site. Antelope and Menifee graduates attended Perris Union High School. For a short time, Antelope children attended the Menifee School on Newport until the new Menifee School on Garbani (now Garbani Road) opened in 1952.
The Menifee and Antelope School Districts unionized in December 1951 and resolved that the new school district should be called "Menifee Union Elementary School District," according to the Menifee school board minutes dated December 7, 1951.
The Menifee Union School District is growing rapidly. In 1981, there were 301 students registered in the District. By 1985, the number had increased to 700, and today the District: serves over 11,440 students from preschool through grade eight at 1 preschool, 11 elementary schools, 1 K-8 school, a K-8 Virtual School, 3 middle schools and a robust Independent Study program.
To address the rapid increase in student population, substantial improvements have been made to the Menifee Valley Middle School campus. Kathryn Newport Middle School is now under construction in the Audie Murphy Ranch community, and an additional elementary school will be built on the east side of Interstate 215.