Tomorrow’s Leaders “The Santa Barbara County Education Office takes great pride in offering outstanding programs and service to students, educators, and 20 school districts throughout Santa Barbara County. Working with our partners in districts and our communities, we are able to support a system of educational services addressing equity and access for all students.” - Dr. Susan Salcido
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arpinteria has an enviable education system. It is one that encompasses learning at every age and stage of life with amazing teachers and strong, caring, visionary administrators. Keeping in mind that it takes a village to raise a child, the Carpinteria Children’s Project (CCP) has worked since 2009, in conjunction with
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the Carpinteria Unified School District, to coordinate efforts in the community so that all families and children are healthy and successful. As the coordinating hub of the Thrive Carpinteria Partner Network, a formal partnership of early childhood education and social services providers who serve families as a team, CCP works to fill gaps and provide direct services in early childhood education and family support. “The first eight years of life are critical to each child’s development. Young children need security, love and to engage in lots of talking, reading, and singing,” CCP Executive Director Maria L. Chesley, Ph.D. said. “We aim to ensure all Carpinteria children are surrounded by supportive parents and our strong village.” That investment in the community’s future continues at Carpinteria Unified School District (CUSD). Keeping an eye on a rapidly evolving employment landscape, the ability to anticipate
Photo credit: SB County Office of Education
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and prepare for the future means educators are not only tasked with teaching the fundamentals and promoting student achievement, they need to prepare students for global competitiveness. With approximately 2,200 students, grades TK-12, CUSD has nine schools – one comprehensive high school, two small alternative high schools, one middle school, and four elementary schools. Eight of the nine schools are located within the Carpinteria city limits and one elementary school is located in Summerland. Superintendent Diana Rigby recognizes that the teachers need access to professional development and resources to teach the next generation the skills they need to effectively navigate the future job market in Carpinteria and beyond. She has made it a priority to reallocate resources and meet the demand head on. “We’re actively changing how we allocate resources and using our grant money for professional development and procuring new materials”
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