About Us

Award-winning Heritage Oak Elementary School, home of the Huskies, opened in 1990 as part of the Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District.

Heritage Oak is located in West Roseville and serves grades TK-5. This beautiful campus provides rich learning experiences for all learners while nurturing self-esteem and character development. Heritage Oak prides itself on its strong PBIS program and commitment to partnering with families to foster a healthy and safe learning environment.

Principal Josh Nielsen leads Heritage Oak's dynamic 57-member staff. Mr. Nielsen has over 25 years of teaching experience and has taught at every grade level from K-12. His high-energy and positive leadership style rooted in making strong connections is contagious, and its effect is evident immediately upon entering Husky Territory.

• California Pivotal Practice, 2022
• California Distinguished School, Redesignation, 2010
• California Distinguished School Designation, 2002
• International James D. MacConnell Award for Design & Planning, 1994

Steeped in a rich tradition of excellence, Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District (DCJESD) has been serving students and families for nearly 140-years. What makes our District special is the partnership between families, community, and educators - each committed to preparing students to become active and responsible citizens in a diverse society. 

Our award-winning elementary school campuses value diverse learning styles, provide rich experiences for all learners, and nurture self-esteem, character development, and lifelong learning. Focusing on the whole child, our talented and dedicated staff provides a caring, engaging and challenging educational experience for every student, every day. 

Our highly acclaimed K-8 and middle school campuses are uniquely designed to support the physical, social and emotional needs of our young preteens, and teenagers and offer courses that support an exciting and vibrant environment offering hands-on learning with state-of-the-art technology.  

More information on each of our school sites. 

The Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District is located in the family-oriented, suburban areas of Roseville and Antelope in Northern California. Located within 20 miles of downtown Sacramento and around 100 miles from Northern California jewels such as San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Lake Tahoe, our area offers an abundance of recreational activities and one of the most pleasant climates in the country.