April 2017 Message from the Superintendent

How Are We Doing?

California now has a new school accountability website, the California School Dashboard, to help parents and community members access important information about K-12 districts and schools. It features easy-to-read reports on multiple measures of school success, including test scores, graduation rates, English Learner progress, and suspension rates.

Carlsbad Unified has used this information to create our own user-friendly website, which includes helpful links and videos explaining the Dashboard, individual school dashboards, infographics, and district and state communications regarding these new tools.

Our school district is committed to providing an academically excellent instructional program for our students. We believe that a rigorous foundation will help our students to be better prepared for the workforce and their futures.

Our work in this regard is reflected in our students’ achievement scores on the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) tests, the state’s accountability assessment system. Carlsbad Unified students scored “Very High” in English Language Arts and “High” in Math, with substantial year-over-year increases.  Besides these commendable district-wide scores, each individual school scored “Very High” or “High” in ELA and Math as well.  It is also reflected in the progress that our English Learning students are making, scoring “High.”

On the other hand, our graduation rate for 2015, although scored as “High,” showed a slight decline from the previous year, from 94% to 92%.

For the first time in 2017, all of our graduates will have met the UC/CSU “A through G” requirements. Carlsbad Unified now has some of the most demanding high school graduation requirements in the state. For instance, every graduate will have completed three years of mathematics, including Algebra II/ Trigonometry. Implementing our demanding graduation requirements while maintaining a high graduation rate will be a continuing challenge as we move forward. But early indications are that our students are thriving and well-prepared for the college and careers in store for them.

An April 11 article in the San Diego Union-Tribune provides an overview of graduation statistics for the class of 2016, which will not be reflected on the dashboard until later this year.

Additionally, although our overall suspension rate was “Low” in 2015, it had increased slightly from the previous year. Carlsbad Unified’s behavioral standards are also high, so this will be another indicator that our district will watch carefully.

We will continue to provide these accountability measures in a transparent way so our community can see how we measure up against other schools across the state.

Thanks for your interest and support as we work hard to “provide every student an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment.”

March 2017 Message from the Superintendent

Unity in the Community

Dr. Ben Churchill

We are entering into the busiest time of the year at our high schools—including proms, AP testing, and graduation activities.

This year, for the first time, a senior class will be graduating on two campuses: one at Carlsbad High School, and one at Sage Creek High School. In Carlsbad Unified, families can now select from two comprehensive high schools, each with its own school culture, educational opportunities, and extracurricular activities. We recognize that it is important for our school community to foster school spirit at each of our comprehensive high schools, as well as to maintain positive relationships between the schools.

In late February, student leaders from our high schools participated in a training that focused on building community and communication among all of our schools. John Vandenburgh facilitated a workshop called PLUS (Peer Leaders Uniting Students), which encourages students to “Protect, Connect, and Educate.” Students participated in small group discussions about “taking their school’s pulse,” collecting data to monitor topics such as school climate, safety, inclusion, healthy rivalry, and the power of social media. Students then brainstormed solutions to campus challenges. They did so collaboratively and positively.

I am continually impressed with the intelligence, enthusiasm, and school spirit evidenced by our student leaders.

It has been my honor as Superintendent to work with the Student Superintendent Advisory Council (SSAC), made up of students from Sage Creek High School, Carlsbad High School, and the Carlsbad Village Academy, all who have an important voice in the development of a variety of school district initiatives.

The Associated Student Body (ASB) leaders at each of the high schools work hard to represent the students at their schools, and to organize meaningful and fun activities and events. These students set a high bar for student involvement and excellence.

The Lancer Leaders (CHS) and Champion Bobcats (SCHS) serve as mentors for elementary and middle school students, with a positive message of community involvement and school connectedness.

Many students have become involved in the innovative new Carlsbad Student Leader Academy, supported by the City of Carlsbad, where young people tackle real life challenges and search for real solutions to local issues.

And the Carlsbad Educational Foundation (CEF) has recently started a Student Leadership program, made up of 20 CUSD high school students, to support and volunteer at CEF events, and to work together with the CEOs and businesses in our community.

Our young leaders represent the future of Carlsbad, and I am proud of them. I believe that these leadership experiences offer our young people opportunities to build their leadership skills, grappling with difficult issues and finding creative solutions. Our future is in good hands.

Photo: Some of the Carlsbad High School and Sage Creek High School ASB Leaders at the PLUS workshop on February 28, 2017. Pictured staff include (from left to right) Mr. Danny Kung, SCHS ASB Advisor; Mr. Oscar Felix, CHS Assistant Principal; Mr. Cesar Morales, SCHS Principal; Mr. Jesse Schuveiller, SCHS Assistant Principal; Mr. Cory Leighton, SCHS Athletic Director, and Dr. Josh Porter, CHS Principal. Also in attendance (not pictured) was Mr. Jeff Riccitelli, CHS ASB Advisor.