At the center of this effort is the recognition that as a community we want the very best for our children, and we recognize that education is the key to opening up future job opportunities and building a strong sense of community.  For most, this will mean a college education or higher levels of technical training well beyond high school.  As parents and educators, we want to help our students spread their wings so they can soar as they enter adulthood.  Our global economy, the cost of living, and reduction of low-skill jobs make a college education or highly-skilled technical training that much more essential. 

We are committed to working with all our families to have their children ready for college or highly-skilled technical training when they graduate from our high schools.  The standards for college admission at the CSU and UC system have increased dramatically over time.  Therefore, in order to increase the number of students who are college-ready, we need to strengthen the rigor of all courses.  In addition, we are committed to increasing the number of students taking honors and advanced placement classes during their high school experience.

We have set a target that a minimum of 60% of all our students  would meet the CSU and UC course entry requirements upon graduation from high school.  This would represent a significant and measurable increase in the number of students prepared for the college experience.  Our districtwide literacy goal, focused on using best practices in the area of reading, writing, and mathematics from remedial to gifted students, will help us realize significant increases in the number of students who are college- ready.

If you are interested in tutoring a student, providing an internship, or supporting our Foundation, please contact Irene Frank, Director of the District’s Partners in Education Program and the PUSD Foundation, at (858) 668-4033.

Sincerely, 

Donald A. Phillips, Ed.D.
Superintendent