In the last few years, California has made many changes to the recognition programs that are used to honor high-achieving schools and districts. With a new program rolled out to recognize districts that demonstrate outstanding implementation of practices that have had a positive impact on student outcomes, the Chula Vista Elementary School District is among the state’s first recipients of the California Exemplary District award.
This award showcases districts in California that have made strides to create a positive school culture and climate on their campuses with an emphasis on student and family engagement and have made exceptional efforts in student achievement and implementing state standards. Chula Vista Elementary School District was chosen as the San Diego County region’s 2018 inaugural awardee because of its high academic growth and performance in recent years.
“Chula Vista has done a tremendous job in aligning resources to meet student needs, particularly dedicating dollars through your Local Control and Accountability Plan to build the capacity of teachers and administrators, and integrating arts education across the district,” said San Diego County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Gothold. “You and your team are building better, more responsive educational environments so your students succeed and thrive.”
CVESD’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP— a three-year plan every district in California uses to show how state funds are being used) has been highly focused on one goal of the LCAP in particular: The District will improve and increase access to services for students and families that support social, emotional, physical wellness, and school success. To do this, significant resources have been devoted to hiring social workers in CVESD, a Special Education District resource teacher, and improved staffing ratios for attendance health clerks and school psychologists.
Students at CVESD campuses also have access to award-winning Visual and Performing Arts programs, with about 80 VAPA teachers serving the District in Visual Arts, Dance, Theater, and Media Arts. CVESD nurtures development of the “whole child,” meaning support is provided for students’ social-emotional well-being as well as academic improvement. CVESD students consistently outperform their peers with encouraging English Language Arts results for English Learners. About $4.3 million in annual LCAP funding was used to employ resource teachers for each school site and reduce the achievement gap for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Being a California Exemplary District means Chula Vista Elementary School District met certain criteria, such as having at least one school that is a California Distinguished School. CVESD, however, had three schools in 2018 — Cook Elementary, Loma Verde Elementary and Veterans Elementary — that were California Distinguished Schools. The District’s success in implementing and monitoring model practices has been highly awarded by the State Board of Education and has caught the eye of researchers like The Learning Policy Institute, which identified the District as a “positive outlier district” in California due to its strong achievement results with students in target groups and students of color.
About Chula Vista Elementary School District
Founded in 1892 in southern San Diego County, California, the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) has 49 elementary schools, including charters, that are committed to ensuring a safe, challenging, and nurturing educational experience, where learning is valued and student growth and development inform instructional practices. The CVESD community is dedicated to providing youth with the support, resources, and guided experiences they need to actively explore the world around them. At CVESD, our mission is to nurture every child’s imagination, intellect, and sense of inquiry. Our motto is, Each Child is an Individual of Great Worth.
For more information on Chula Vista Elementary School District and its many amazing elementary schools, visit www.cvesd.org and be sure to follow the District on Facebook and Twitter.
Media Contact
Company Name: Chula Vista Elementary School District
Contact Person: Anthony Millican
Email: Send Email
Phone: 619-849-0260
Country: United States
Website: https://www.cvesd.org/