Eleven
elementary schools in the San Diego Unified School District have been
designated Distinguished Schools by the California Department of
Education.The schools are: Benchley Weinberger in San Carlos; Dingemen Elementary in Scripps Ranch; Doyle Elementary in University City; Hardy Elementary in the College Area; Holmes Elementary in Clairemont; Marvin Elementary in Allied Gardens; Kumeyaay Elementary in Tierrasanta; La Jolla Elementary in La Jolla; Tierrasanta Elementary in Tierrasanta; Toler Elementary in Clairemont; Torrey Pines Elementary in La Jolla.
"This is truly a great honor for these schools, their students, principal, staff, parents, volunteers and the entire community," said Superintendent Bill Kowba. "It's not easy to become a California Distinguished School. It requires great scores and a commitment by the staff to go through the lengthy state process."
The state makes the awards to elementary schools on even-numbered years, middle and high schools on odd-numbered years.
"The schools we are recognizing today demonstrate the incredible commitment of California’s teachers, administrators, and school employees to provide a world-class education to every student, in spite of the financial hardships facing our state and our schools," said Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "Their dedication is inspiring, and I applaud and admire their passion and persistence."
Each school is unique to its neighborhood.
- Benchley
Weinberger in the San Carlos neighborhood focuses on teaching its
students dynamic communications skills. Students produce, film, edit,
direct and star in a news program broadcast throughout the school. Field
trips to theater performances, museums, floating biology labs, along
with art lessons, pen and e-pals, sign language, music, P.E., and
assemblies promote artistic/alternative communication.
- Dingeman
Elementary is located in the Miramar Ranch North neighborhood of
the Scripps Ranch community and is proud of its community
connection: it is named after a local civic activist Bob Dingeman.
The school's API exceeds 900 and the school mixes high academic
standards with acknowledgement that parents, teachers and community
members are all partners in education.
- Doyle Elementary
in the University City neighborhood, near UC San Diego, and is the
school for many of children of the university's faculty, research
scientists and graduate students. The enrollment includes children from
more than 30 countries, speaking more than 20 languages and providing
cultural diversity that makes for a rich educational experience. Parent
and community volunteers help in classrooms throughout the campus and
with special events, such as the annual International Festival.
- Hardy
Elementary School, adjacent to San Diego State University and enjoys
strong partnerships with the university; the school is named after
SDSU's president from 1910-35. The school has been certified by the
district as Family Friendly, has an active PTA and involvement by
parents and grandparents as volunteers. More than 100 students
participated in the before-school Mileage Club, with runners learning
important fitness and life lessons.
- Holmes Elementary is
located in a quiet corner of the Clairemont neighborhood. Its API
exceeds 900 and it has been listed on the California Business for
Education Honor Roll for two years. All teachers in grades 3-6 are
certified for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE). The school's active
PTA funds an award-winning art program, a music teacher and the computer
lab. The campus includes a student garden, rock-climbing wall and a
fitness obstacle-course.
- Marvin Elementary is in the
Allied Gardens neighborhood and relishes its community ties. Several of
today's teachers were once Marvin students and the school's Parent
Teacher Foundation plays an active role in the school and community. The
school has a fully equipped science lab and full-time science teacher,
an annual science fair, GATE and Seminar programs. The PTF also
purchases books for the library, sponsors assemblies, and produces the
variety show.
- Kumeyaay Elementary is in the northern part
of the Tierrasanta neighborhood and provides an enriched curriculum
that includes science and music instruction funded through the school's
foundation. Three teachers have received the prestigious certification
by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The school
has "Caught Being Good Slips," where a student is given the award for
random acts of kindness. Military family support is important, with
nearby base housing.
- La Jolla Elementary School is a
historic campus located in "downtown" La Jolla. With an active
foundation and parent community. The focus is on creating lifelong
learners, enthusiastic readers and critical thinkers. Sciences are also
important, with oceanography units that help kids learn about the nearby
Pacific Ocean. The PTO and Foundation have helped create a beautiful
campus learning environment and hold regular events keep the community
involved.
- Tierrasanta Elementary is in the center of the
Tierrasanta neighborhood. Parents and community members volunteer in
classrooms and provide enrichment programs and special projects. In
addition, Art Corps, student recognition, gardening classroom
volunteering, as well as the school’s and website, offer multiple ways
for parents and community members to become involved.
- Toler
Elementary is located in the southwest part of the Clairemont
community, overlooking Mission Bay. Toler parents volunteer in the
classroom and serve on various decision-making groups, such as the
Parent Teacher Association, School Site Council, Site Governance Team,
and English Learner Advisory Committee. Toler parents participate in
recognition assemblies, student activities, family events, student
performances, and Family Academic Nights.
- Torrey Pines
Elementary is located high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Its
proximity to the UC San Diego campus provides an opportunity for
collaboration with an institute of higher learning. It consistently
ranks as one of the top performing elementary schools in San Diego
County and is in the top five percent of schools in the state. It has a
very active parent involvement program, spearheaded by the Torrey Pines
Elementary School Foundation.
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