Cunha Intermediate School is in the Cabrillo Unified School District and serves grades 6, 7, and 8 in the coastal area of Half Moon Bay, 25 miles south of San Francisco.
Building Strong Foundations During Grades 6-8
Cunha Intermediate School helps students make the transition between elementary and high school. The school culture is grounded in the tradition of educating the whole person. Students and staff work diligently to promote academic success and positive behavior through Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. Cunha has 32 teachers, 15 classified staff, two administrators, and two full-time counselors for a student body of approximately 700 students. Cunha's campus was renovated in 2010 and 2019, resulting in a state-of-the-art campus with instructional technologies in classrooms, including Chromebooks for each student. Cunha has extensive extracurricular opportunities, including athletics, club participation, lunchtime spirit competitions, etc. The award-winning, student-led Leadership Program coordinates this massive effort! Additionally, all students have the opportunity to participate in our extensive elective opportunities from traditional Shop to Home Economics to AVID.
Mission
Cunha provides a safe, nurturing environment where all students, parents, and staff strive to meet high academic standards and promote lifelong learning. Cunha is committed to a student-centered learning environment where every student is encouraged to seek his or her maximum potential. Scholarship, the ability to reason, as well as civic and social consciousness is the cornerstone of our mission. Cunha will inspire all students to reach high academic expectations, think critically and creatively, become responsible citizens, value diversity and individual self-worth, as well as pursue continual growth.
HISTORY - MANUEL F. CUNHA
Manuel Francis Cunha was born on May 16, 1886, in Half Moon Bay. He had the unique distinction of serving on the elementary school board in Half Moon Bay for 43 years. He also served on the local high school board for 16 years and was a director of the San Mateo County Soil Conservation District board for 15 years.
Manuel Cunha was also active in city politics and served as chairman of the Police Commission of Half Moon Bay.
It was said of Manuel F. Cunha that he was a quiet-spoken man and well-respected by all who knew him. Many people asked him for advice of public and personal problems. Our hats are off to you, Manuel F. Cunha! We are proud to have our school named after you.
- "50th Birthday Celebration" in 1989
