STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

From our youngest learners, to our alumni, SMUSD is equipping students now and continuing to support them as they achieve their dreams.

Transitional Kindergarten Expansion: Reaching More Young Learners

As part of the State’s expansion of Transitional Kindergarten, or TK, the eligibility window for incoming students will gradually widen each year until fall 2025 when all four-year-olds can enroll in TK. However, at San Marcos Unified we have been offering Transitional Kindergarten since 2011, so when the opportunity to expand the program was passed, we were ready. With AM and PM sessions and new classrooms in construction, SMUSD is leading the way in early education.

Superintendent-Student Advisory Council

The Superintendent-Student Advisory Council was started by Superintendent Johnsen last school year, and was formed to encourage student leadership and provide feedback to the Superintendent on the student experience.

Rising Stars

TK video:

New in January, the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce in partnership with SMUSD, hosted a monthly Rising Stars event at Palomar College to recognize and honor student achievement, complete with San Marcos Chamber and SMUSD leaders & Board members, business leaders and local elected officials.

Three seniors from each high school in San Marcos Unified, are honored for demonstrating character, integrity, love of learning, involvement in school and community activities and/or the ability to overcome challenging life circumstances without compromising their education.

This Council is currently tackling issues at all three high schools including, student activism & student voice, cultural advocacy, inclusivity, and the Portrait of Graduate implementation. They are working to bring more students to this group each month to make more widespread changes on school campuses.

2023 Rising Stars:

Emily Gonzalez-Chavez, Twin Oaks High School

Brisa Jaime, Mission Hills High School

Nicholas (Ray) Pulido, San Marcos High School

Rami Khalid, Twin Oaks High School

Kimberly Hernandez, Mission Hills High School

Jessie Way, San Marcos High School

Monica Lopez Alvarado, Twin Oaks High School

Henry Davis, Mission Hills High School

Jarisbel Lobato Zamora, San Marcos High School

Jesse Osborne, Twin Oaks High School

Kelly Amador Villareal, Mission Hills High School

Rosa Garcia Romero, San Marcos High School