2019–2020 School Accountability Report Card

Bird Rock Elementary School (BRE), located in the Bird Rock area of La Jolla, has an enrollment of approximately 515 students. In addition to our students and their parents, many neighborhood residents feel a strong sense of connection to the school, as it truly is an extension of the community.

Bird Rock is more than 60 years old and is situated on four-and-a-half acres, with an additional half-acre access to a portion of San Diego Parks and Recreation property. There are four permanent buildings and 11 bungalows. All permanent build-ings have been renovated within the last nine years, and five years ago the exterior of our school was freshly painted. The school is surrounded by fencing to ensure a protected environment. A library and instructional area were completed in fall 2003. The site has many murals, mosaics, and tile displays which have been presented as gifts by grade 5 classes. The children are proud of these exhibits and return to Bird Rock to view their work. The grade 5 class of 2011–12 designed a beautiful mosaic tree with circling birds, entitled “BRE gave us roots and wings.” The class of 2012–13 added a lovely outdoor bench with inspirational wording. More recently, the 2014–15 class added a hand-some boulder near the front entrance of the school displaying the Bird Rock name.

The vision of the Bird Rock Elementary School community is to actively support learning and create opportunities for academic achievement and personal responsibility for all students through a standards-based curriculum that challenges students to rise to their highest potential through inquiry, discovery, and collaboration. Our staff, students, and parents, with the support of our neigh-borhood community, strive toward a common goal of academic success and the social and emotional well-being of every student.

Curriculum and Instruction

The San Diego Unified School District Board of Education has formally adopted academic standards and curriculum frameworks approved by the California State Board of Education for all subject areas. District curriculum materials, instructional strategies and supports, professional development, and student assessments are aligned with state standards and focused on ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality, rigorous, and engaging instructional program. A range of support opportunities is available for students needing additional assistance.

Visual and Performing Arts

The Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) course of study includes standards-based sequential TK-12 pathways in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, guided by the San Diego Unified Board-approved Strategic Arts Education Plan. The California Education Code requires the arts as part of the course of study in grades 1-12, and the arts are listed among the core subjects of a well-rounded education as defined by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015). The new California Arts Standards place emphasis on artistic literacy and mastery of 21st Century Skills – collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and communication – essential areas for workplace success.