The Difference Between Ordinary and Extraordinary
Last week Carlsbad Unified celebrated our State of the District event at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort, joined by legislators and policemen, principals and businessmen, and representatives from higher education, nonprofits, parent groups, and the City of Carlsbad. Guests enjoyed a jazz combo from Sage Creek High School, a video by CHSTV’s talented journalists, and a touching performance by Carlsbad High School’s Sound Express.
I can report to you that the state of our district is extraordinarily positive.
Our strong academics continue to make us proud. Multiple measures, including state assessments, AP tests, and colleges acceptances, demonstrate that Carlsbad Unified is a leader in the state when it comes to positive student outcomes. We are a district of award-winning teachers, innovative science and technology offerings, and multiple opportunities for excellence in the visual and performing arts at all levels. Our students are accepted at the colleges of their choice and go on to amazing careers. And we are a district that believes that Kindness Matters.
Our schools continue to garner impressive awards. Pacific Rim Elementary School was recently honored as a U.S. Department of Education prestigious National Blue Ribbon school, with the Exemplary High-Performing School designation—one of only 16 elementary schools in the state, and fewer than 350 schools in the nation. California’s Gold Ribbon Schools Award has honored Aviara Oaks, Hope, and Pacific Rim Elementary Schools, and Aviara Oaks and Calavera Hills Middle Schools. The Niche website scores Carlsbad Unified in the top 10% of school districts in California. Our dedicated community of teachers is on the cutting edge of training and research, experimenting with Project-Based Learning and Design Thinking in their classrooms. And our award-winning CHSTV just won the coveted Pacemaker award—called the "Pulitzer Prize of Student Journalism”— the most prestigious award in the nation for high school scholastic broadcast journalism.
In addition, our high schools now offer students these career pathways that are aligned with the workforce needs of our dynamic region: Biomed, Film Academy, Broadcasting, Child Development, Engineering & Design, Fashion Design, Finance & Business, Information & Communication Technologies/Computer Science, and Photography.
We invite you to check out our new Work-based Learning website through the San Diego County College and Career Readiness Consortium (www.sdeportal.org) and become a part of this new undertaking.
Through the hard work of our Prop P Citizens Oversight Committee and our facilities department, we look forward to opening the SCHS Performing Arts Center this summer. We have now completed major Prop P facilities upgrades at Carlsbad High School, Valley and Aviara Oaks Middle Schools —and opened Sage Creek High School — among other projects. Also, we have just completed another “refinance” of our bonds, taking advantage of historically low interest rates and saving taxpayers about $19.2 million through 2034.
But the true message of the State of the District is about our partnerships in the community. We thrive because of the elected officials who fight for us, the businesses who mentor and believe in us, and the community that supports us. It is about the teachers, principals, support staff, and parents who are dedicated to teaching our students the skills they need to be successful and to make the world a better place.
As I interacted with our guests at the event, it struck me that, more than anything, it is our strong community in Carlsbad that makes this an extraordinary place. Our district appreciates your participation in educating our youth, and we look forward to continuing and growing these vital relationships.
