August Means BACK TO SCHOOL

Getting a good education, and making sure your children get a good education, is one of the most important goals to set for yourself.

In California, everyone between 6 and 18 is required by law to attend school unless they have graduated from high school before the age of 18 or have passed the California High School Proficiency Exam.

Although kindergarten is not mandatory in California, teachers recommend it to help your kids be ready for first grade. Children are admitted to kindergarten if they turn 5 on or before September 1.

Children are assigned a public school based on where they live. You can request another school in your district (intra-district transfer) or in another district (inter-district transfer).

North County has two community colleges—MiraCosta and Palomar—and one university—California State University San Marcos.

Get involved with your local schools

Vote for your local school board, supervisor, etc.

Attend school board meetings (posted online).

Read minutes from school board meetings.

Go to parent–teacher conferences.

Ask about academic opportunities, such as scholarships, mentoring, and more.

Find out about dual language, arts, sports, STEM, and other programs and the schools that offer them.

California School Grades

Transitional Kindergarten (TK, 4-year-olds), new program

Kindergarten (K, five-year-olds), not required

Elementary (1–5 grades)

Middle School (6–8 grades)

Junior High (7–8 grades)

High School (9–12 grades)

Charter School: Charter status frees the school from many of the state statutes and regulations that apply to school districts.

Continuation School: A high school for students who are behind or have other difficulties.

Magnet school: A school with a focus, such as STEM or art. Homeschooling in California.

English Learners

According to the California Department of Education, in Fall 2022, 19.01% of California public school students were English learners. Of these, 81.90% speak Spanish.

Parents receive notification of the reasons the student is identified as an English Learner within 30 days of student enrollment, and exams determine children’s language level.

Special Education

If your child struggles in school, he or she may have exceptional needs or learning disabilities. According to California Education Code, schools are required to assist these students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP). You can request services with a letter to the school, and there are bilingual school liaisons available to help you.