The Eureka Union Elementary School district (under this name) started in 1925. Mrs. Irene Burns, who was Placer County Superintendent of Schools at that time, named the district. However the roots of the district go back to February 5, 1868, when a group of citizens formed the Excelsior School District. A man named Oaks who had demolished an old "area building" and constructed a new school facility out of the old lumber constructed the first school. The location was about one-half mile west of the present Eureka School site, on the old Sacramento-Auburn wagon road.

The first teacher was Miss Burke, who taught for three months and then resigned. Miss S.V. Boles succeeded her, who resumed the teaching responsibilities for ten students who were enrolled that first year.

In 1875, just six years later, growth forced the young Excelsior School District to build a new school one-half mile closer to Roseville. The school furniture was handmade, and the room was large enough for thirty-five students. Even then facilities were crowded, because forty students enrolled in 1881. The district existed for 39 years until 1908, when it was divided into two school districts: the Excelsior and Rosedale Districts. The Rosedale School was located on the property now owned by Emil Rodgers near the corner of Douglas and Joe Rodgers Roads.

Some members of the community felt if the two smaller districts would unite and form a union district their children could receive a better education. This led to the 1925 formation of the Eureka Union Elementary School District. The present Eureka School site was obtained and in the summer of 1925 two old one-room schoolhouses were moved to the Eureka site. The first two teachers at this school were Mrs. Clelia Santini and Miss Estelle Waller (Cruickshanks). One taught grades 1-4 and the other 5-8. By 1927 the new two-room schoolhouse had been built and Miss Willma Tescher (Cavitt) joined the staff.

In the early 1940's crowded conditions led the board to seek additional classroom space. During 1944-47 both permanent and temporary facilities were built. The boundaries of the District changed in 1957 and crowded conditions were reduced. But by 1959 the District had added the east wing of six classroom to Eureka Elementary and a Kindergarten program. With this change came Mr. Dale Bartell as the superintendent/principal/8th grade teacher. Three additional classroom were added to this site in 1961 and four more in 1964. A library building was added in 1972.

Rapid growth during the sixties necessitated the planning and construction of a second school in the District. Greenhills Elementary, located off Douglas Boulevard started in 1966 with six classrooms and a media center. Six more classrooms were added in 1969. The final phase of the school, administrative, kindergarten complex and one more classroom were completed in 1977.

In 1981 Willma Cavitt School (named for one of the first teachers) opened its doors for students and was designed for seventh and eighth grade students, their electives program and a seven period day. With the opening of Cavitt, Greenhills became the K-3 school and Eureka Elementary the 4-6 school for the District.

The District continued its rapid growth well into the 1990's. To accommodate this growth the District opened a second K-3 school, Oakhills, in August 1990. In 1994 Ridgeview, a new 4-6 school was added. In 1996 the District opened its second junior high, Olympus, and another K-3 school, Maidu Elementary. A third 4-6 school opened in August 1999. Returning to our roots, the board decided the school would be named Excelsior.