The School Report

School Districts

Lucia Mar Unified School District, CA

   TABLE OF CONTENTS

·        Welcome to the School Report

·        Public School Information

·        District Size

·        Elementary & Middle School Programs

·        Upper School Programs

·        Extracurricular Programs (grades 9 - 12)

·        Interscholastic Sports

·        Statistical Information

·        School Directories

·        Bulletins From the Schools  

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Lucia Mar Unified School District, CA

District Size

The size of the school district or school often has a considerable effect on the educational environment and the opportunities available to students.

As a parent, you'll need to consider how the differing characteristics of a large or small school district could affect your child.  Remember that many large schools offer the same personalized attention as smaller ones, and many small schools have extensive facilities and a commitment to offering a wide variety of classes and activities.  It may be more significant to look at class size in each grade level and make sure the school has the classes, activities, and facilities your child needs, rather than assets that your child may not need to use.

While moving from a large to a small district, or vice versa, requires a period of adjustment, this is a good time to reassess what your child needs, and help him/her make a successful transition to a new school.

District Size

*     Districts with only elementary schools include information on the high school most students attend.

**   Includes guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers, librarians, medical/dental staff, teachers.

*** Does not include special classes or targeted small group classes.

Elementary and Middle School Programs

 Selecting a school should begin with an evaluation of your child's educational needs.  For elementary and middle school, it's especially important that your child is in the right learning environment, since the educational experience s/he has in the early grades will influence his/her attitude towards later learning.

By talking with your child's current teacher or child care provider, you can gain a sharper focus about your child's academic needs.  Discuss areas in which your child may be having trouble.  Inquire about opportunities that might allow your child to fulfill his/her potential.  In this way, you can begin to create a list of the characteristics that the right school for your child would possess.  Whenever possible, involve your child in the decision-making process.  Ask him/her what s/he likes most and least about his/her current school.  Ask him/her to describe the ideal teacher or the perfect school day.

When comparing elementary schools, the most readily available data are achievement scores, class sizes, and the grade level at which various programs are offered.  These data can provide vital clues to the quality of the education, but they are not whole pictures.  For example, small class sizes usually benefit children in the primary grades, but a school with larger classes may offer just as much individualized attention by employing well-trained teachers' aides and skillful teachers. Be sure you visit the schools and ask deeper questions to find out what statistics actually mean on the classroom level.

One concern of many parents is the grade level when schools introduce subjects and programs.  It's easy to assume that earlier is always better, but that's not always the case.  When you consider the age at which programs are introduced, think about your child's own skills and development, and your goals for him/her. If you want your child to receive concentrated art, music, or language instruction in an academic setting, look for schools that offer these programs at an early age.  If these programs aren't offered at a school you're considering, but you feel that your child is ready, consider supplemental lessons from a music teacher, art center, or language instructor.

It is always a good idea to call the schools and verify any program that is important to you or your child. Schools are constantly changing or adding programs based on student interest, budget constraints, or school improvement plans.

Elementary and Middle School Programs

* The earliest grade level each program is available does not include magnet or special programs

Upper School Programs     

As you prepare your child to enter high school, s/he may be beginning to identify and define his/her own interests. It's likely that your child has some understanding of his/her strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes.  Whether your child has a definite career path in mind or s/he is still solidifying and refining interests, skills, and preferences, s/he continues to need a liberal arts education   

At the high school level, your child has a greater voice in deciding what subjects s/he will study.  Your input and that of teachers, guidance counselors, and even peers influence the decisions your child makes about which courses to choose, and which to avoid.  When contemplating this new freedom and control, many students are eager to drop less favored or more difficult subjects.  A budding musician may want to pass on mathematics, a future scientist may think foreign language is useless, or an aspiring electrician may decide all humanities are a waste of time.  This strategy can backfire.

As a general rule, students should take the most challenging academic program that they can handle.  If your child is college - bound, it's advisable that s/he continues to study English, mathematics, history, foreign language, science, and social studies.  Even if your child plans on a specialized major like graphic arts or engineering, most colleges prefer students with a solid, well-rounded academic background.  If your child does not anticipate attending college, it's still a good idea to continue with a core academic program. English and mathematics skills are essential in all walks of life, and basic high school course work will be essential if your student changes his/her mind about college some day.   

When you're considering high schools, remember that for most students, quality course offerings in key subjects are more important than a wide array of electives.  Look for classes that match your child's needs and interests.  If advanced placement courses, vocational/technical education, studio art classes, business skills courses, or classical languages are important to your student, look for schools that offer them. Larger school districts are more likely than smaller ones to offer many choices, but if your student needs a class that isn't offered in the school district you're considering (e.g., advanced calculus or Russian), ask the principal if it would be possible to take the course for credit at a nearby college or high school that offers it. 

  Upper School Curriculum (9 - 12)

 Extracurricular Programs (grades 9 to 12)      Whether your student is headed for college or the job market, participation in extracurricular activities indicates the initiative, leadership, and interests that admissions directors and employers look for. Extracurricular activities include marching bands, orchestras, choral groups, drama clubs, school newspapers, yearbooks, student government, special interest clubs, community service projects, athletic teams, and honor societies.

Extracurricular activities benefit students by: 

Boosting self-esteem. Extracurricular activities provide opportunities for personal initiative, decision-making, and creativity. For average or indifferent students, activities give the opportunity to explore and succeed in nonacademic subjects

Cultivating new interests and skills. Extracurricular activities give students the opportunity to expand their knowledge in academic and nonacademic areas that aren't covered by the basic curriculum.

Expanding social relationships. Extracurriculars give students a chance to meet outside the classroom. By encouraging teamwork among like-minded students from a wider cross-section of age and academic abilities, extracurricular activities allow students to overstep existing social divisions to develop new friendships. The social aspects of extracurriculars are especially beneficial for new and shy students.  

When you're comparing school districts, check to see if the school offers activities, which interest your student. A school that offers a wide array of activities may seem impressive, but your student will only benefit if s/he is motivated (and able) to participate. Let your student take the lead in choosing extracurricular activities.  

It's difficult to compare the quality of extracurriculars from one school to another, but if there is an activity that is very important to your student, you may want to investigate. Ask the school principal about it, or find out who the faculty advisor is and ask him/her. Keep the following questions in mind:  

How many members/participants does this activity attract? Is membership competitive, or can all interested students join?

How many hours per week does participation in this activity entail? What happens at a typical meeting?

Are there opportunities for leadership within the group? How are leadership roles assigned? Is this activity funded by the school district? Are there costs to the student? Do participants hold fund-raisers?  

If your student is interested in performance groups like band, chorus, or drama, attend a production, if possible. If the group competes with other schools (e.g., marching band, debate team), inquire about how they fare. If the activity involves a publication like a literary magazine or yearbook, ask to see a recent copy.  

If your teen is looking for an activity that isn't offered by a specific school, don't rule the school out. Most high schools encourage students to found new interest groups, which can be an unsurpassed opportunity for your child to develop leadership skills. Remember activities need not be limited to school; your student can look for opportunities within the community for performance, volunteerism, fitness, and employment.

Extra Curricular Programs (9 - 12)