April 5, 2017 – The largest elementary school district in California, CVESD was also one of the most successful in 2016. Known for having a very diverse population, the district outperformed its San Diego County and statewide counterparts in many categories in 2016. The City of Chula Vista, with 68% of its students being Latino and 11% being Filipino*, has seen great success in its immersion programs to prepare its youth for statewide testing.

“I got to make the visit to Hilltop as well and it is a fabulous school,” says Lynne Perez, P.H.D. Deputy Director, NCUST. “Boy, Chula Vista is doing something right… Lisa is an incredibly good principle and does wonderful work with the kids.”

Hilltop Drive Elementary and J. Calvin Lauderbach Elementary of CVESD were both awarded with the 2016 NCUST (National Center for Urban School Transformation) Excellence in Education Awards. Over the past year, these schools have been used as the model for which all other schools in the nation are measured.

“Inside Lauderbach, are high expectations, rigorous coursework, and quality instruction leads students to excellence,” exclaimed Dr. Perez at the 2016 awards ceremonies.

Last year, CVESD students posted average math scores of 49%, a massive feat in comparison to the California statewide 37% and nationwide score of 44%. Full report ​here​. These scores are unprecedented, considering Chula Vista’s large population of immigrant families and second language students.

To supplement their academic accomplishments, Chula Vista Elementary Schools have also received awards for their policies towards student physical health. In 2013, CVESD became the first ​Live Well San Diego ​school district. They were given this accreditation after removing unhealthy snacks and beverages from their lunch menu and conducting other city-wide changes.

In an effort to promote student health throughout the region, CVESD now uses their Healthy Works grants to mentor other school districts. Since receiving this award, they have been used as a local and national model for school administrators and policy-makers.

About ​Live Well San Diego

In 2010, after two years of collaborative planning sessions among County staff and community stakeholders, the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors adopted a comprehensive, long-term initiative on health called ​Building Better Health: Health Strategy Agenda​. The decision was sparked by the realization that San Diego County, like much of the nation, was facing a tidal wave of chronic disease and rising healthcare costs.

Our Board knew that without taking bold, deliberate action, the next generation of San Diegans would be in danger of living shorter, less healthy lives than the current generation. The original ​Building Better Health: Health Strategy Agenda ​has since evolved into the greater​ Live Well San Diego ​vision of a region that is Building Better Health, Living Safely and Thriving.