About the District :: San Diego Unified School District

Mission
All San Diego students will graduate with the skills, motivation, curiosity and resilience to succeed in their choice of college and career in order to lead and participate in the society of tomorrow.

Overview
The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) serves over 135,000 students, and has marked more than 150 years of service to San Diego's children. It is the second largest district in California, and eighth largest urban district in the United States. The student population is extremely diverse, representing more than 15 ethnic groups and over 60 languages and dialects.

Since its founding on July 1, 1854, the district has grown from a small, rented school building with one teacher to its current state—more than 221 educational facilities with 14,555 full-time equivalent staff positions representing more than 15,800 employees. The district's educational facilities include 118 elementary schools, 24 middle schools, 29 high schools, 35 charter schools, and 15 atypical or alternative schools.

In 1998, 78% of San Diego voters passed Proposition MM, a $1.51 billion bond measure that funded repairs at 161 schools, construction of 12 new schools and the rebuilding of three additional schools. In 2005, the bond measure received the Grand Golden Watchdog Award from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA) - its highest honor given for programs in San Diego County that exemplify efficient use of tax dollars.

The district’s focus on providing educational excellence and equity to all students has resulted in significant grant funding from private and public agencies, and other organizations supporting education. This includes a $17.5 million grant from the US Department of Education under its Striving Readers program – one of only eight grants given nationwide this year – and a $2.24 million grant from the California Department of Education to provide technology for science education at 12 district middle schools.

Key to the district's success is its work with businesses, community leaders and volunteers, as well as its relationships with local colleges and universities. About 1,400 businesses and community organizations are Partners in Education. In the 2005-07 school year, partners donated approximately $5.6 million in human, financial and in-kind goods and services. The district has also benefited from time contributed by more than 26,000 individual volunteers. In 2006-07, volunteers logged over 990,000 hours, a value of over $18 million (based on the average hourly wage for nonagricultural workers, placed at $18.77 by the Independent Sector, Washington, D.C.). Approximately 70% of volunteers provide services directly in the classroom.