Sweetwater Union High School District
Encyclopedia
The Sweetwater Union High School District is a school district
headquartered in Chula Vista
, California
. , the school district is the largest secondary school
district in California
.
The union high school district serves over 42,000 high school-aged students and over 32,000 adult learners. Located in the southwestern part of San Diego County between downtown San Diego and the International Border with Mexico
, the district serves the communities of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach
, National City
and the San Ysidro
portion of San Diego
.
Sweetwater is one of the most ethnically and economically diverse districts in California. Approximately 87 percent of students belong to an ethnic minority group and over 40 percent of students qualify for the free or reduced lunch program.
Overseen by a five-member Board of Trustees, the district operates 14 high school
s (11 regular, two alternative, one charter); 11 middle schools; 4 Adult schools; a regional occupational program (ROP); and special education
.
The district has earned recognition for its "Compact for Success" program, a deal made with San Diego State University
that guarantees Sweetwater graduates admission to the university if they meet certain requirements all throughout their High School career.
Superintendent: Edward Brand (Temporary through end of 2011, replacing Jesus M. Gandara, Ed.D. who was ousted June 21, 2011)
Assistant Superintendents:
Rita Sierra Beyers (Human Resources)
Karl Bradley (Facilities and Operations)
Executive Directors:
Maria Castilleja (Curriculum and Instruction)
Diego Ochoa (Instructional Services, High Schools) - July 1, 2011
Lee Romero (Instructional Services, Middle Schools) - July 1, 2011
senior Gordon Siu, protested outside district offices and made their case during the October school board meeting. In one example presented during the meeting, a student passed the requirement despite writing an essay about how he learned a valuable lesson in using a glue stick to make greeting cards.
While portfolio supporters argued that the portfolio "gives students the chance to connect their learning to the real world," Siu criticized the portfolio in an editorial in the San Diego Union-Tribune, lampooning the portfolio's "magical ability to instill communications and life skills in students, which apparently make up for four years of lousy instruction."
Because the school board voted to end the requirement beginning with the class of 2007, Siu, Bonita Vista's co-salutatorian
, submitted a satirical portfolio to demonstrate how lax the requirements are to pass. School officials failed him, which Siu believed was retaliation. He redid the portfolio and was allowed to graduate.
This controversy helped spark a national debate over alternative assessment
, and was covered in a U.S. News & World Report article which asked, "Are students working too hard for a high school diploma?"
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
headquartered in Chula Vista
Chula Vista, California
Chula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the seventh largest city in Southern California, the fourteenth largest city in the State of California, and the seventy seventh largest city in the U.S....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. , the school district is the largest secondary school
Secondary education in the United States
In most jurisdictions, secondary education in the United States refers to the last six or seven years of statutory formal education. Secondary education is generally split between junior high school or middle school, usually beginning with sixth or seventh grade , and high school, beginning with...
district in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
The union high school district serves over 42,000 high school-aged students and over 32,000 adult learners. Located in the southwestern part of San Diego County between downtown San Diego and the International Border with Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, the district serves the communities of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach
Imperial Beach, California
Imperial Beach is a residential beach city in San Diego County, California, with a population of 26,324 at the 2010 census. The city is the most southern beach city in Southern California and the West Coast of the United States...
, National City
National City, California
National City is a city in San Diego County, California. The population was 58,582 at the 2010 census, up from 54,260 at the 2000 census. National City is the second oldest city in San Diego County and has a historic past.-History:...
and the San Ysidro
San Ysidro, San Diego, California
San Ysidro is a community in the southern section of San Diego. It is located in the southernmost part of San Diego County, immediately north of the U.S.-Mexico border. It neighbors Otay Mesa West to the north, Otay Mesa to the east, and Nestor and the Tijuana River Valley to the west...
portion of San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
Sweetwater is one of the most ethnically and economically diverse districts in California. Approximately 87 percent of students belong to an ethnic minority group and over 40 percent of students qualify for the free or reduced lunch program.
Overseen by a five-member Board of Trustees, the district operates 14 high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
s (11 regular, two alternative, one charter); 11 middle schools; 4 Adult schools; a regional occupational program (ROP); and special education
Special education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
.
The district has earned recognition for its "Compact for Success" program, a deal made with San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
that guarantees Sweetwater graduates admission to the university if they meet certain requirements all throughout their High School career.
Governance
Board of Trustees: John McCann, President; Pearl Quiñones, Vice President; Arlie N. Ricasa; Bertha J. López; Jim CartmillSuperintendent: Edward Brand (Temporary through end of 2011, replacing Jesus M. Gandara, Ed.D. who was ousted June 21, 2011)
Assistant Superintendents:
Rita Sierra Beyers (Human Resources)
Karl Bradley (Facilities and Operations)
Executive Directors:
Maria Castilleja (Curriculum and Instruction)
Diego Ochoa (Instructional Services, High Schools) - July 1, 2011
Lee Romero (Instructional Services, Middle Schools) - July 1, 2011
High schools
- Bonita Vista High SchoolBonita Vista High SchoolBonita Vista High School is a public, four year high school located in the city of Chula Vista, California. Bonita Vista High School is one of the few schools that has both the IB and AP programs. It is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, and currently has about 2,800 students....
http://bvh.sweetwaterschools.org/default.aspx/ - Castle Park High SchoolCastle Park High SchoolCastle Park High School, established in 1963, is a high school in Chula Vista, California. It offers Advanced Placement classes. Along with Bonita Vista High School, it is one of only two schools in the Sweetwater Unified School District that offers International Baccalaureate classes...
http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/cph - Chula Vista High SchoolChula Vista High SchoolChula Vista High School in Chula Vista, California, was founded in 1947. It is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District. The school colors are "spartan" blue and white, and the mascot is Sammy Spartan. CVHS underwent a renovation to several classrooms and received a new ASB building in...
http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/cvh - Eastlake High School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/elh
- Hilltop High SchoolHilltop High SchoolHilltop Senior High is a four-year public high school located in Chula Vista, California and is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District . The school colors are kelly green, white, and black. The school mascot is the "Lancer"...
http://hhs.suhsd.k12.ca.us/index.priv.php - Independent Study High School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/schooldirectory/independent-schools.asp
- MAAC Community Charter School http://www.maacproject.org/Community%20Charter%20School
- Mar Vista High SchoolMar Vista High SchoolMar Vista Senior High , in Imperial Beach, California, United States, is a high school established in 1951. Part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, the school serves students living in Imperial Beach, and San Diego, California...
http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/mvh/ - Montgomery High SchoolMontgomery High School, San DiegoMontgomery High School is a four year public high school located in the city of San Diego, California. It opened in 1970 and is situated today in Otay Mesa. Montgomery High School serves more than 2,500 students. Montgomery High School is named after pioneer aviator John J. Montgomery who made...
http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/moh - Olympian High School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/olh/
- Options Secondary SchoolOptions Secondary SchoolOptions Secondary School , is located in Chula Vista, California on the Chula Vista Adult School campus....
- Otay Ranch High SchoolOtay Ranch High SchoolOtay Ranch High School is a high school established in 2003 with 97 classrooms. It is located in Chula Vista, California. Otay Ranch High School primarily serves the Chula Vista developments of Otay Ranch and Rancho Del Rey.-History:...
http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/orh/ - Palomar High School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/pah/
- San Ysidro High SchoolSan Ysidro High SchoolSan Ysidro High School is a co-educational, grades 9-12 high school in San Diego, California. It is a part of the Sweetwater Union High School District.-See also:* Primary and secondary schools in San Diego, California-External links:***...
http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/syh/ - Southwest High SchoolSouthwest Senior High SchoolSouthwest Senior High , in San Diego, California, United States, is a high school established in 1975. Part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, it serves all socioeconomic communities of San Diego , as well as some students living in Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and San Ysidro. The school...
http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/soh/ - Sweetwater High SchoolSweetwater High School (National City, California)Sweetwater Union High School is a secondary school located in National City, California, United States. Established in 1921, it is one of the oldest high schools in San Diego County...
http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/suh/
Middle schools
- Bonita Vista Middle School http://bvm.suhsd.k12.ca.us/
- Castle Park Middle School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/cpm/
- Chula Vista Middle School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/cvm/
- Eastlake Middle School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/elm/
- Granger Junior High School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/gjh/
- Hilltop Middle School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/htm/
- Mar Vista Middle School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/mvm/
- Montgomery Middle School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/mom/
- National City Middle School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/ncm/
- Rancho Del Rey Middle School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/rdrm
- Southwest Middle School http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/som/
Senior Portfolio Controversy
In December, 2005, the school board voted to eliminate its senior portfolio project as a requirement for high school graduation after months of student protests. Students, led by Bonita Vista High SchoolBonita Vista High School
Bonita Vista High School is a public, four year high school located in the city of Chula Vista, California. Bonita Vista High School is one of the few schools that has both the IB and AP programs. It is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, and currently has about 2,800 students....
senior Gordon Siu, protested outside district offices and made their case during the October school board meeting. In one example presented during the meeting, a student passed the requirement despite writing an essay about how he learned a valuable lesson in using a glue stick to make greeting cards.
While portfolio supporters argued that the portfolio "gives students the chance to connect their learning to the real world," Siu criticized the portfolio in an editorial in the San Diego Union-Tribune, lampooning the portfolio's "magical ability to instill communications and life skills in students, which apparently make up for four years of lousy instruction."
Because the school board voted to end the requirement beginning with the class of 2007, Siu, Bonita Vista's co-salutatorian
Salutatorian
Salutatorian is an academic title given, in the United States and Canada, to the second highest graduate of the entire graduating class of a specific discipline. Only the valedictorian is ranked higher. This honor is traditionally based on grade point average and number of credits taken, but...
, submitted a satirical portfolio to demonstrate how lax the requirements are to pass. School officials failed him, which Siu believed was retaliation. He redid the portfolio and was allowed to graduate.
This controversy helped spark a national debate over alternative assessment
Alternative assessment
In the education industry, alternative assessment or portfolio assessment is in direct contrast to what is known as performance evaluation, traditional assessment, standardized assessment or summative assessment...
, and was covered in a U.S. News & World Report article which asked, "Are students working too hard for a high school diploma?"