Schools to Reopen After Evacuation Orders are Lifted

Editor's Note: Follow us on Instagram for the latest reporting. Last updated on May 26 at 11:25 p.m.

After forcing thousands of people to evacuate and shutting down schools in several districts, the days-long hazardous materials crisis at a Garden Grove aerospace facility is over.

On the evening of May 26, the Orange County Fire Authority announced all evacuation orders were lifted as there was no longer a threat of a fire, explosion, or signs of a chemical leak related to an overheating tank holding a flammable material at GKN Aerospace on Western Avenue. Crews are continuing to monitor the situation and a stretch of Western Ave. remains closed.

The hazmat incident started the evening of May 21 with a malfunction of a tank filled with around 7,000 gallons of a toxic and flammable material known as methyl methacrylate that is used in plastics manufacturing. The tank was overheating and at risk of either leaking or exploding, posing a serious health threat to the community, according to the OCFA. On May 22, around 50,000 people living within a few miles of the facility were ordered to evacuate affecting neighborhoods in Garden Grove, Westminster, Buena Park, Stanton, Cypress and Anaheim.

After days of around-the-clock monitoring and coordination among hundreds of emergency and hazmat responders, officials declared that they had averted the worst-case scenario of a “Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion” or BLEVE of the tank. That was due, in part, to a crack they discovered was relieving pressure. (Click here to see the latest updates from OCFA.)

What is happening at local schools?

Garden Grove Unified School District

In brief: As of the evening of May 26, all of the district's 67 schools will be open for the final day of the 2025-26 school year.

Twelve GGUSD campuses were evacuated and closed on May 22 due to the hazmat crisis. With the lifting of the evacuation orders on Tuesday, all of them will be open for the final day of the school year, May 27.

"We understand this news came late in the evening and returning home after an evacuation may take time," read a post on the district's Instagram account. "Please know that students will not be penalized if they are unable to attend school tomorrow as families continue to recover and make necessary arrangements. This will apply with grades as well, as students will be 'held harmless.'"

GGUSD's Los Amigos High School was being used as an emergency shelter for evacuated residents.

Westminster School District

In brief: All campuses reopened on May 26.

In a May 26 update, The Westminster School District said all of its campuses were open.

"Thank you for your patience, your trust, and your grace throughout this week. We are glad to have our community back together," the post read.

The WSD stressed that it has resources available for students or families in need including counseling and wellness support, the Hope & Home Boutique at Meairs Elementary and the Helping Hands Food Pantry at Johnson Middle School.

WSD is providing updates on its website and social media. The WSD Board of Education is scheduled to hold a regular meeting on May 28. The district's last day of school is June 12.

Savanna School District

In brief: The district evacuated two campuses on the final day of the 2025-26 school year; summer programs to reopen on schedule

The hazmat situation coincided with the Savanna School District's last day of the school year at its four campuses serving nearly 1,800 students in Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress and Stanton. Students at Cerritos and Hansen schools had to be evacuated to the other two campuses, Holder and Reid schools, during the school day.

"While this was certainly not the ending to the 2025-26 school year that any of us had planned for, we are incredibly grateful that our students, staff, and families remained safe throughout the day," a May 23 post on the district's Instagram account read.

In a post on Instagram on May 25, the district shared that its B.R.I.G.H.T. Learners program will reopen to enrolled families on May 27. The district's Summer Academy, Extended School Year, and W.I.N.G.S. Summer Camp programs will take place June 1–26.

"We recognize that many of our families have been personally impacted and displaced by this situation, and we understand the uncertainty and stress it has caused. We are incredibly grateful for the patience, resilience, kindness, and support our families, staff, and community have continued to show one another throughout this challenging time. Your flexibility, compassion, and partnership have meant so much as we continue responding to this evolving situation together," reads a statement from the district.

Magnolia School District

The Magnolia School District no longer has any campuses located within the evacuation zone. On May 22, students from two of the district's campuses were moved to other schools, according to KTLA.

The district's last day of school is June 11. Magnolia has nine campuses serving about 4,600 TK/K-6 students in Stanton and Anaheim.

Anaheim Union High School District

In brief: One AUHSD campus was evacuated and closed; one high school graduation ceremony was postponed

The last day of the 2025-26 school year for students in the AUHSD was May 21. On May 22, Orangeview Western 7-12 was evacuated and staff was told to not come to campus due to the hazmat incident, according to an Instagram post from Friday.

"Due to a toxic chemical spill in Garden Grove that is now impacting our surrounding area, Orangeview Western 7–12 School will be evacuating and closing effective immediately," the post read. The campus is located outside of the evacuation zone.

For seniors at Kennedy High School, May 22 was supposed to be a day of celebration but it became a day of uncertainty. Kennedy seniors were due to attend their graduation ceremony on Friday afternoon, but not long before the event, it was cancelled. “We understand how deeply disappointing and emotional this news is for our graduating seniors and their loved ones,” read an Instagram post from AUHSD sharing the news. A few hours later the district announced the Kennedy High School graduation was rescheduled. It took place May 26 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Kennedy High School and Savanna High School in the AUHSD were used as shelters and resource centers to help Anaheim community members impacted by the hazmat situation.

Los Alamitos Unified School District

In brief: Los Alamitos High School gym's evacuation center to close on May 27

No campus in the Los Alamitos Unified School District was impacted by the hazmat situation, but some district students, families, and staff did have to be evacuated. They are expected to return home with the lifting of all evacuation orders.

Los Alamitos High School's old gymnasium was being used as a Red Cross shelter for impacted families. But the district announced on May 26 that the shelter would shut down within 24 hours.

"Over the past several days, we have been honored to provide our facility in support of neighboring communities and families during a difficult time, and we remain grateful that we could help when it was needed most," Los Alamitos USD Superintendent Andrew Pulver, Ed.D. wrote in a message sent to district families on May 26.

Were you impacted? Want to share your story? Email hello@spotlightschools.com.

Get the latest updates from the City of Garden Grove here.