Chisme & Learning: Your Go-To Source for the Latest in Education!

Exciting news! Our new guide to San Diego schools is almost ready. This annual publication helps parents choose the right school for their kids.

What’s new this year? We’re adding two important metrics. One looks at how schools are bouncing back from the pandemic. The other tracks schools that offer career and technical education programs in high-demand industries around San Diego County.

The 2025 Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools will be available next month. If you’d like to check out last year’s guide, you can download it here or read some stories online.

This week, our reporter Jakob McWhinney shared some data from the guide. He found that only 13 percent of schools in San Diego County have students performing better on tests than they did before the pandemic. That’s just 96 schools out of 740! Jakob spoke with experts about the ongoing recovery. You can read more about it here.

As a bonus, Jakob also talked to three school principals whose schools have successfully bounced back. Don’t miss their inspiring stories—you can read more here.

A Safe Parking Lot in City Heights Isn’t Going to Happen

Reporters Lisa Halverstadt and Jakob McWhinney revealed that a proposed safe parking lot on San Diego Unified property is unlikely to move forward. In 2023, the school district offered the old Central Elementary School site for this purpose, but there hasn’t been much progress.

The city concluded it could not fund the project despite receiving a grant. City officials decided they didn’t secure enough funds to go ahead. If they had received complete funding, they would have worked with the district to expand the program.

School board member Richard Barrera expressed concern. He said, “It’s a shame that families are driving around without a safe place for their kids.” He noted efforts would continue to find new partners for this initiative.

More Local News to Start Your Week

• Deborah Brennan spoke to San Diego legislators about their priorities for 2025. Many are focusing on new laws for homelessness and housing.
• Tigist Layne reported on a controversial Poway City Council appointment, revealing tensions within the council during a recent meeting.
• The California Health Report published an update on the aftermath of the severe January floods in 2024.

Source link