CUSD at a Glance

Moving in the Right Direction

2014 has been an interesting year for the Compton Unified School District.  A lot of things have occurred that set our district apart from others. People I come across often ask what’s going on in Compton.  My reply is a lot, there’s always something going on in Compton.   So what are some of the things that set our District apart from other school districts?  Consider the following:

1.       2 National Blue Ribbon Schools Jefferson Elementary School and Tibby Elementary School

2.       Terrell H. Bell Award awarded to principal Mario Marcos, Jefferson Elementary School

3.       2 additional California Distinguished Schools, Jefferson and Tibby Elementary Schools

4.       3 additional schools that have received 3 California Title 1 Achieving School Awards

a.       Anderson Elementary School

b.      Jefferson Elementary School

c.       Tibby Elementary School

5.       1  school site that has received National Title 1 Achieving School Award

a.       Laurel Elementary School

6.       Fourth straight year of graduation rate increases district-wide

7.       500% increase in UC admissions to the University of California Irvine, Dominguez HS

8.       Five schools awarded the Apple ConnectEd grant

a.       Bursch Elementary School

b.      Carver Elementary School

c.       Jefferson Elementary School

d.      Kelly Elementary School

e.      Walton Middle School

9.       Turnaround Arts Grant Awarded to King Elementary School

10.    Collaboration with the William Morris Foundation to deliver arts programming to sites

11.   Project Lead the Way Implementation at our secondary school sites

12.   Early College Implementation at the high school level scheduled for 2015-2016

13.   Curb appeal focus and implementation of several facilities projects district-wide

14.   Development of Academies underway at the secondary level

15.   Budget and spending aligned with District priority to remain fiscally solvent

Vision to Learn Partnership Launched in Compton

Fifty-nine Students Receive Glasses

Several of our students received a new set of eye glasses through the Vision to Learn Partnership with the Compton Unified School District. Today each student that received a new set of eye glasses is one step closer to fulfilling our district mission related to student achievement.  On Friday, November 14, Vision to Learn (VTL) provided new eyeglasses for students at Clinton Elementary and Dominguez High School.  The event was held at the St. John’s Wellness Clinic housed on the campus of Dominguez High School. 

First Annual STEM Day Event

The Flying Classroom

Thanks to all (Administrators, Teachers, Classified Staff, Students and Volunteers) who were involved in pulling together CUSD Inaugural STEM DAY event. It took a huge effort to make this event great and I would like to think that it affirmed to the community (near and far) CUSD’s commitment to academics at the secondary level and STEM education in general.  The day highlighted the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills and showcased student’s work on Project Lead The Way (PLTW) projects which encourage problem solving, collaboration and communication…be very proud of them—their collective growth and knowledge.

A special thank you goes out to Davis Middle School Staff.  The work and effort to ensure the day occurred was vivid—you are all appreciated.

A VERY special thanks of gratitude goes out to Capitan Barrington Irving for including Compton Unified in his “The FLYING CLASSROOM” curriculum excursion and sharing his life perspective on STEM and education with our students.

Project Reach and the K-2 Initiative

A Partnership between CUSD and Dominguez Hills

CUSD and CSU Dominguez Hills are currently in talks to develop a partnership to impact student achievement in the primary grades and secondary configurations of middle school and high school.  The goal of the partnership is two-fold; to provide a firm foundation for student learning in the primary grades and establish a strong foundation for students at the secondary level to capitalize on college and career readiness opportunities. 

The K-2 Initiative will focus on building the essential skills for students to successfully grasp skills that tend to be missing in students that do not attend quality preschool programs. 

Our Project Reach Program will place special emphasis on reading complex text and explanatory and argumentative writing.  A special emphasis will be placed on the citing evidence in both reading and writing along with understanding technical vocabulary. 

Both programs will focus on early intervention for students that are necessary to provide needed support in the area of reading, math and writing.

Terrel H. Bell Recipient for Excellent Leadership

Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership Will be Awarded to Mario Marcos

Mr. Mario Marcos principal of Jefferson Elementary School will be presented with the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership.  The presentation of this award will occur at the 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony.  There are a total of eight individuals in the nation that will receive this award.  This prestigious award will be presented to him by the U.S. Department of Education, together with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the Association of Middle-Level Education, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.  The award is being presented in memory of former Secretary of Education Terrel H. Bell and recognizes outstanding school leadership and its impact on students.  Mr. Marcos has been nominated for this award for fostering successful teaching and learning at his school.  The motto of the school is “Excuses Perpetuate Failure.”  
 

Under his leadership Jefferson students API scores rose from 758 to 865, moving from 15th to 3rd in the district and earning several significant distinctions pertaining to student learning such as California Distinguished School recognition, Title I Academic Achievement Award, Apple Connect ED Grant, and National Blue Ribbon distinction.  

 

Mr. Marcos is receiving this award for transforming his site into a center for excellence.  His vision and leadership has produced outstanding results for students closing the achievement gap, regardless of race, language proficiency, or socioeconomic status.  He has shown that with effective leadership and teaching and a firm conviction, all students can learn.  Job well done Mr. Marcos. Congratulations!

 

 

Achieve UC Day A Huge Success

Dominguez High School celebrated their 500% increase in UC admissions by hosting Achieve UC Day on Thursday, October 30.  The event was a huge success.  For more details click on the following link:

http://news.uci.edu/features/encouraging-words/