San Diego Unified School District Announces New Community Schools

Students engaging in learning and support activities at a newly designated community school in San Diego.

News Summary

The San Diego Unified School District is set to open ten new community schools for the 2025-26 school year. This initiative aims to cater to the unique needs of families and provide essential resources, including tutoring, food markets, and wellness centers. With a total of 25 community schools planned, the district is focusing on fostering connections between education and community support. Additionally, there are discussions around potential name changes for some schools to ensure cultural sensitivity and representation. This development marks an exciting new chapter for education in San Diego.

Exciting News for Families in San Diego!

Big changes are coming to the San Diego Unified School District. Mark your calendars for the 2025-26 school year because the district has just announced plans for ten new community schools! This initiative, which started in 2022, aims to provide much-needed resources not just inside the classrooms but also to support students and families in the wider community.

What is a Community School?

You may be wondering, what’s a community school and why is everyone so excited about it? Each community school is basically customized to fit the unique needs and preferences of the students, families, and local neighborhoods they serve. It’s all about listening to what the community wants! The district is actively gathering feedback from parents, students, and residents on what they’d like to see in their schools, making sure everyone has a voice in shaping their educational environment.

Free Services Galore!

One of the best parts of these community schools is the free services they offer! Some of the fantastic amenities include:

Tutoring services that can help students get extra help in subjects they may struggle with
Food markets and pantries that can provide healthy meals for families in need
Clothing closets stocked with new and gently-used items, ensuring everyone has what they need
Meeting spaces for community gatherings and events
Adult English classes for non-native speakers looking to improve their language skills
Dental clinics to keep those pearly whites shining
Wellness centers focused on the overall health of the students and families

With this announcement, the San Diego Unified School District will expand its total to 25 community schools across the area, a significant leap toward fostering stronger connections between education and overall community support.

Meet the New Schools!

So, which schools are joining this vibrant community? The newly designated community schools are:

Chesterton Elementary
Hamilton Elementary
Kimbrough Elementary
Marshall Elementary
Penn Elementary
Ross Elementary
Rowan Elementary
Washington Elementary
Webster Elementary
Whitman Elementary

Currently, Lincoln High School is already in the community school family, featuring a revamped library area that serves as both a literature library and a community hub!

School Name Changes on the Horizon

California Racial Mascot Act. This act prohibits any derogatory terms regarding Native Americans, and the board is taking steps to ensure that school names and mascots convey a sense of cultural and historical significance.

Creating schools that represent everyone is essential, and the board is planning to involve community members, students, and staff in the name-changing process. A new 10-person naming committee will be established to help facilitate this, ensuring that the process is transparent with community engagement through surveys and public hearings.

Final Thoughts

All in all, the future is looking bright for San Diego students! With the introduction of these new community schools and the thoughtful consideration of school names and mascots, it seems like the district is diligently working to create nurturing environments that ensure student success both academically and socially. Stay tuned, San Diego; there’s much more to come!