SAN DIEGO—Monterey Ridge Elementary School gathered Friday to celebrate the campus' 20th anniversary, welcoming back former students and staff to mark the occasion.
Opened in August of 2006 in 4S Ranch, MRES was the 23rd elementary school created in Poway Unified. The campus was built as part of the 4S master planned community, serving students and families as the surrounding area has continued to grow over the past two decades.
The campus was designed to incorporate six small learning communities housed in “villages.” Each village houses six to seven classrooms that center around a family room and are equipped to support a variety of learning needs.
In celebration of the school’s anniversary, former MRES students returned to share their experiences on campus and how their time there supported the activities they are involved in today. Former staff members, including the school’s first principal, Rebecca Wardlow, also joined the celebration. Current staff members and educators who have been with the school since it first opened its door to the community were also honored.
The morning was "capped off" with a special gift of a Monterey Ridge Elementary hat to Poway Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Ben Churchill, and a special County of San Diego proclamation of Monterey Ridge Elementary School Day from the office of Supervisor Joel Anderson.
In addition to the morning celebration, festivities were also planned for the afternoon after school to allow students and families more time to connect and enjoy the school's anniversary.