Yokomi Elementary School launched in the Fall of 2005 with the most advanced educational technology tools available in schools today. The science and technology magnet school is equipped with interactive white boards, digital projectors, integrated sound systems and several computers for use by teachers and students. The only elementary school in Fresno Unified with a science focus also houses dedicated science classrooms equipped specifically for elementary students to experience hands-on science instruction in addition to the regular elementary curriculum.

All students are eligible to apply, but downtown employees with elementary school children seem especially interested in the school since it would allow them to be near their children while at work. Childcare is also be offered to accommodate the schedules of working parents. About 400 students from the local neighborhood currently attend the school and students from throughout the community are filling the remaining openings. The school has the capacity to accommodate over 700 students.

The latest technology in every classroom allows teachers to more directly involve all students in instruction. Each room is equipped with an interactive whiteboard, a digital projector, a document camera, a wireless microphone, and an integrated sound system.The interactive white board looks like the traditional writing surface seen in many classrooms, but the touch sensitive surface allows teachers to controlcomputer generated lessons and images on the board and move or write over the images. Lessons can then be captured on the computer and saved for future reference or printed for students. Information is immediately accessible and constantly updated through the internet. No more outdated maps on classroom walls or old resources for research. Interconnections with the internet, streaming video and even video-conferencing are available at the school. Laptop computers will also be accessible to students throughout the school, with 3rd through 6th graders using computers on a regular basis as a learning tool. For the primary students in grades K through 2nd, Alphasmarts(compact word-processing computers) will be used to teach keyboarding and word-processing skills.

Science instruction occurs daily at the school and is designed to build students' literacy skills while enhancing their knowledge of investigation techniques and problem solving. The specially equipped science classrooms include everything from the appropriate furniture for group work and hands-on experiments, to the proper materials and tools in kid sizes and styles. Yokomi is one of two new elementary schools which opened in Fresno Unified and much of the specialty science equipment, materials and supplies for the school is made possible by the current three year magnet grant FUSD received last August from the U.S. Department of Education. The school is located just north of Community Medical Center at the corner of Thesta and McKenzie.