Location

Shoal Creek Elementary School
Libby Keller, Principal
Poway Unified School District
11775 Shoal Creek Drive
San Diego, California 92128
Phone Number: 858 613-9080
Send Feedback to:  sces@powayusd.com

Mission Statement

Recognizing the unique qualities of each child, Shoal Creek Elementary School is dedicated to the education of all students.  Every student will have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to develop a positive self worth, make informed choices, function effectively in a diverse society, and become self-sufficient, independent learners.  We will encourage active involvement, cooperation, and communication between the school, child, family, and community.  As a school of character, we will teach and model trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.  At Shoal Creek we are committed to all students learning.

School Affirmations

Just the Facts

Shoal Creek Elementary School, built in 1998, serves 631 students from kindergarten through fifth grade, including 35 students in special day classes, from a rich diversity of cultural, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. Additionally, 40 preschool children attend the parent participation program on campus. The pristine campus is located on top of a commanding bluff in the residential community of Carmel Mountain Ranch. Shoal Creek attained the distinction of being identified as a California Distinguished School in 2002. The expertise of the staff, the dedication of the parents and the enthusiasm of the students have formed a professional learning community where all partners collaborate together toward the common goal of doing what is best for children and their learning. The community spirit is embodied in our vision statement that proclaims, “You are entering a community where learning is the focus, creativity is encouraged, each individual is valued and success is ensured.”

There are 27 certificated, regular education teachers, three special day class teachers, a resource specialist, and a speech and language specialist employed on site. There is one part-time preschool teacher and one English Language Learner instructional aide. Our itinerant staff includes a speech specialist, a resource specialist, an adapted physical education teacher, an occupational therapist, school psychologist, counselor, and band director. There are 38 classified personnel including office staff, custodians, library media assistant, computer resource assistant, computer technician, instructional assistants, student services aides and specialists, noon duty supervisors, food services supervisors and extended student services supervisors. Additionally, the site has one part-time physical education instructional assistant and one part-time music instructional assistant.

Seventy-one students are English Language Learners. Fifty-five percent of our student population is Caucasian, and the largest minority group is made up of students from various Asian backgrounds at twenty-eight percent. The students speak twenty-three languages. Twenty-nine students are enrolled in the Resource Specialist Program (RSP). Seventy-five students receive speech and language services and thirty-five students are enrolled in our special day classes. Students with special needs are served according to their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Thirty-six students in grades three through five are identified as Gifted and Talented. Classroom teachers have been trained in differentiating instruction for all of the above-mentioned populations. We also offer several class placement options, which include combination and single grade-level classes. A two-year kindergarten program is also offered for students with late summer and fall birthdays.

The parents of Shoal Creek are an invaluable resource in supporting school programs. Volunteers help in the classroom and with school-wide events throughout the year. In addition, the PTA supports a variety of activities and programs throughout the school year, including school assemblies, the monthly newsletter and weekly bulletin, a harvest festival, parent/child events and guest readers. Also they have assisted with community service drives. Shoal Creek has established an Educational Foundation to raise funds for the betterment of education at the site.

During our eleventh year of service, we find that one of our greatest assets is our strong parent/student/staff relationship that maximizes student achievement. This is the embodiment of what a professional learning community can produce. We do have low staff turnover, enabling smoother transitions and communication. The staff continues to seek research-based strategies that support student learning through ongoing training. Our Student Council and the community are active with service projects for our school, as well as projects that benefit the outside community. Together they have raised money for the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope For Heart, UNICEF, Leukemia Society, local food drives and school beautification projects.

The primary challenge this year is to work in teams, grade-level and vertical, as we scrutinize and maximize each student’s rate of growth on formal and informal assessments. Continuing to use assessment to drive instruction and implementing more opportunities for self-assessment and monitoring by students is a focus area. Keeping the student goals on the Individualized Learning Plans for all students in the forefront is critical as well.

Click here to view Shoal Creek's Report Card (in PDF Format).
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