6,275 SD UNIFIED SENIORS WILL GRADUATE, MOVE ON TO COLLEGE & CAREERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Link to High Resolution Video of Press Conference, with Student Speakers

 

Media Contacts: 

James Canning, 313-580-2845, jcanning@sandi.net

 

6,275 SD UNIFIED SENIORS WILL GRADUATE, MOVE ON TO COLLEGE & CAREERS
SD Unified School District’s Projected Graduation Rate is 91% for the 2025-26 School Year
157 Seniors Celebrate as Inaugural Graduating Class of Logan Memorial High School 

 

SAN DIEGO (MAY 04, 2026) – San Diego Unified School District is expecting 6,275 seniors to graduate this year. 25 district high schools will host graduation ceremonies in May, but the most significant may be the inaugural graduating senior class from Logan Memorial High School. One-hundred and fifty-seven seniors, four years after Logan Memorial High School opened, will take their hard earned, future-ready talents to universities, community colleges, and careers.   

 

During a press conference at the Logan Memorial High School high school today, impressive district wide achievements by the 2025-26 senior class were announced by Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D.; Board of Education President Richard Barrera, and campus administrators. Students representing the senior class of Logan Memorial High School also shared their individual stories of progress and success.   

 

Preliminary estimates indicate a 91% graduation rate for San Diego Unified, a 1% increase when comparing this year to 2024-25. Final totals will be available after summer school. 

 

San Diego Unified graduated 90.3% of its senior students in 2024-25.San Diego Unified’s A-G Completion Rate was 26% better than all large urban schools in the state of California.    

 

“Graduation is a testament to the resilience, talent, and determination of our students,” said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D. “Our seniors leave San Diego Unified not only with academic knowledge, but with the skills to thrive in a complex world. We are deeply committed to ensuring every student is prepared and empowered to pursue their dreams. This graduating class is ready to live a choice-filled life.” 

  

Seniors across San Diego Unified have numerous opportunities to level-up their abilities and earn designations to demonstrate their commitments to biliteracy, civic engagement, career technical pathways, and International Baccalaureate ®.

 

732 graduating seniors are projected to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy, an official recognition awarded by all U.S. states to high school students who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language. It is a 6% increase over last year’s 687 recipients. San Diego Unified awards the seal for 13 different languages and it appears on the student’s diploma or transcript to highlight their language skills to colleges and employers. The goal is to encourage multilingualism, value cultural diversity, and prepare students for a global society. 

241 seniors to date have submitted their applications for the State Seal of Civic Engagement, an award for students excelling in civics, making a difference in their communities, and knowing how democracy works. The application period closes later in May and awards will be determined at a later date. For the 2024-25 school year there were 233 applicants. 

“Today we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our graduating seniors and the journeys that brought them here,” said Board of Education President Richard Barrera. “San Diego Unified has worked to create opportunities that open doors.  These graduates are stepping into the next chapter with confidence, purpose, and a strong foundation. We are proud to have helped prepare leaders who will contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond.”

Other distinctions of the 2025-26 graduating class include:

• 2,140 seniors have been reclassified as fluent in English 
• 2,008 seniors are Career Technical Education Pathway Graduates 
• 187 seniors are receiving International Baccalaureate ® certificate (gold tassel)
• 126 seniors are receiving International Baccalaureate ® full diploma

Significance of Inaugural Logan Memorial High School Graduating Class 

Logan Heights was home to Memorial Junior High starting in 1922 and in the Fall of 2022, 100 years later, Logan Memorial High School was opened. The opening of the high school came after the population grew in the Logan Heights neighborhood and the neighborhood children were required to attend high school outside of their community because one did not exist nearby. After significant community advocacy that started in 2015 for a Logan Heights high school, Logan Memorial High School was opened seven years later and now the students of the high school and the entire Logan Memorial Educational Campus (LMEC) are thriving in an educational environment that provides daycare through 12th grade educational opportunities for the nearby and surrounding community.        

 

College & Career Readiness Goal 

 

One of San Diego Unified’s goals is to increase graduating student cohorts’ level of college and career preparedness, as measured by the College/Career indicator on the California School Dashboard, from 59.9% of high school graduates placed in the “Prepared” level in August 2023 to 71.9% by August 2030. 

   

Since the College and Career Indicator (CCI) was developed by the State of California in 2017, student preparedness for life after high school has improved from 53%.3 from San Diego Unified’s Class of 2017 to 66.6% for the Class of 2025. 

 

Each San Diego Unified School is different, but district officials attribute the overall improvements to some key student performance outcome indicators and research-based levers which include strategic scheduling, strong student-adult relationships, and supportive 8th to 9th grade transition “bridging.”  

 

Pathways to College and Career Readiness @ San Diego Unified 

San Diego Unified students have three paths toward improving their college and career opportunities post graduation by taking “a-g” courses that help them become eligible for California State Universities, earning early college credit through the district’s partnerships with higher education institutions, and career technical education (CTE).   

 

According to the California Department of Education, CTE significantly increases the high school graduation rate and also results in a higher percentage of students going to college and persisting through graduation. High-risk students are 8 to 10 times less likely to drop out in grades ten and eleven if they enroll in a CTE program instead of a general program. 

 

To learn more about and enroll in San Diego Unified School District schools, click here.

 

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

MONDAY: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED STUDENTS, LEADERS TO ANNOUNCE GRADUATION TOTALS & LIFT UP FIRST GRADUATING CLASS FROM LOGAN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

MEDIA ADVISORY

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED STUDENTS, LEADERS TO ANNOUNCE GRADUATION TOTALS
& LIFT UP FIRST GRADUATING CLASS FROM LOGAN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL  

WHAT: Press Conference

WHY:
San Diego Unified School District leaders will announce details about its graduation totals for the 2025-26 school year, important college and career data and feature the success of the first graduating class from Logan Memorial High School, which includes 157 students. Hear directly from students during this press conference. 

WHEN: Monday, May 4, 2026 @ 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:  Logan Memorial High School, 721 South 28th Street, San Diego CA, 92113 (Enter the office of Building E and you will be escorted to a courtyard where the event is being held) 

WHO:

• Fabi Bagula, Superintendent, San Diego Unified School District
• Richard Barrera, President, Board of Education, San Diego Unified School District
• 157 Graduating Seniors from Logan Memorial High School
• Valedictorian: Arath Santiago Villegas Parra
• Autumn Dye
• Michael Yahir Contreras
• Salutatorian: Jazmin Granados

MEDIA
PARKING: Parking lot and street parking in front of building E

______________________________________________________________________________
Media Contact: James Canning, 313-580-2845, Jcanning@sandi.net 

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

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SD UNIFIED EDUCATORS & ADMINISTRATORS WANT EDUCATION FULLY FUNDED BY STATE, LAUNCH PETITION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 Media Contact: James Canning
                                                            313-580-2845 / Jcanning@sandi.net 

SD UNIFIED EDUCATORS & ADMINISTRATORS WANT EDUCATION FULLY FUNDED BY STATE
School District Seeks Signers for Petition to Fully Appropriate $5.6B in Proposition 98 Funding
SD Unified Could Receive $90 Million if Proposition 98 Funds are Released   
Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D. Going to Sacramento May 5 to Advocate for Full K-12 Funding  

SAN DIEGO (APRIL 28, 2026) – Education leaders from San Diego Unified School District are making a strong push for the State of California not to withhold $5.6 billion in education funding because the district's portion is needed to bolster early interventions, special education and staffing support. San Diego Unified could receive about $90 Million if Proposition 98 funds are released.     

During a press conference at district headquarters Tuesday, the Superintendent, Board of Education President and leaders for district labor partners made their pitches, and launched a petition for San Diegans to support the release of the education funds. 

“Releasing the full amount of educational funding is essential to strengthening early interventions and ensuring every child receives the support they need to succeed,” said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D. San Diego Unified School District. “These investments allow us to expand professional development for educators and build a comprehensive system of tiered supports, so students get the right help at the right time. With adequate funding, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive and that special education remains one of several effective, thoughtfully applied supports.”

The Superintendent Bagula is going to Sacramento May 5 to advocate for full K-12 funding, which comes after the Superintendent in early April joined other schools districts in making their case to the Governor in writing. Click here for the letter. This push comes ahead of Governor Newsom’s expected May Budget Revise, which is expected to be released by May 14; and after year-to-date revenues have come in $8.6B above the Governor’s January projections. The California State Senate’s “Foundation for the Future” budget plan called for the full restoration of K-12 education funding.

“Fully funding Proposition 98 isn’t optional, it’s a constitutional obligation and a moral one. When the state withholds these funds, it shortchanges students, undermines classrooms, and forces educators to do more with less while children pay the price,” said Richard Barrera, President, Board of Education, San Diego Unified School District. “Every dollar withheld is a missed opportunity to intervene early, support teachers, and give students the tools they need to succeed. Our students can’t afford delays, and their futures shouldn’t be negotiable.”

Complete the Petition: Fully Fund Prop 98 & Release $5.6 Billion
In the petition released by school district leaders it says: “...School districts rely on stable, adequate funding to hire and retain qualified educators, maintain class sizes, and provide the support services that drive student success. Delaying these funds would create unnecessary fiscal instability and jeopardize the progress students, families, and educators have worked hard to achieve. California’s students deserve sustained investment and a budget that keeps their future at the forefront…” To sign the petition, click here. 

 

“The $5.6 billion owed to our schools under Proposition 98 is being withheld at a time when our classrooms are already stretched beyond capacity,” said Monique Barrett, SDEA President Elect. These are not abstract dollars. These are early interventions for our youngest learners. These are the supports that ensure students get what they need before they fall behind. These are restorative practices that build strong, safe, and connected school communities. These are the investments that sustain the educators and staff who make our schools work every single day.”

“The right thing to do is release the $5.6 billion from Prop 98. The students who are our future leaders and the school staff that put their hearts into supporting them daily deserve what is owed,” said Dawn Basques, President, California School Employees Association, Chapter 788.  “Gavin Newsom, invest in California’s public schools by doing the right thing. The time is now.” 

“We build our school plans, hire our staff, and support our students based on the expectation that Prop 98 funding will be there. When it’s not, we’re forced to make difficult decisions that directly impact students,” said Kristi Hunter-Clark, Vice President,  Administrators Association of San Diego City Schools and Chollas Mead Principal. “Investing in education is investing in California’s future. When we support our schools, we’re building a stronger workforce, a healthier community, and a more equitable state.”

Others in attendance included Dr. Angelia Watkins, Director of Special Education, San Diego Unified; Trustee Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, San Diego Unified Board of Education; Trustee Alina Ngyuen, San Diego Unified Board of Education; Shana Hazan, Trustee, San Diego Unified Board of Education   Cody Peterson, Trustee, San Diego Unified Board of Education; California School Employees Association Chapter 759 Paraeducators, California School Employees Association Chapter 724 Operations-Support Services, the Administrators Association of San Diego City Schools.   

San Diego Unified is leading a coalition requesting the release of Prop 98 Funds. Below are excerpts of a letter sent on April 6 to the Governor. 

“Students in preschool and early elementary grades today experienced their most formative years during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This significantly disrupted early socialization environments and social-emotional development. Across the state, classroom educators are reporting sharp increases in disruptive behaviors compared to before the pandemic. These emergent behavioral challenges are especially notable in early grades, and particularly, in preschool and TK.

Districts have reported that increasing behavioral challenges are contributing to the rising identification of children for special education services. Statewide, growth in the number of students with disabilities is largely driven by significant year-over-year increases among students in preschool through third grade.

Without a strong system of tiered social-emotional and behavioral supports, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) may be viewed as the only way to secure additional assistance for a struggling child, which risks prematurely placing students on a special education track. Addressing these challenges is critical to set young learners up for success in school, and to ensure California’s historic investment in universal TK fulfills its potential to drive positive outcomes for the state’s youngest learners. Proactive behavioral support and early interventions offer a proven solution. Districts that embed robust behavioral supports and invest in educator capacity have reported drastic reductions in the number of students who proceed to assessment and are identified for an IEP after receiving tiered interventions.

A $500 million investment would be used to support proactive behavioral interventions and build educator capacity, leveraging strategies including:

·         Development and implementation of strategies to address behavioral challenges in early learning classrooms.

·         Implementation of a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) to provide tiered interventions in preschool through 3rd grade. 

·         Professional learning to build educator capacity in areas such as interpreting student data, universal design for learning, and proactive behavior supports.

·         Instructional and behavioral coaching to provide embedded support for classroom educators.

·         Facilitation of collaboration between general education and special education educators to promote inclusion and shared responsibility.

·         The development of data tools, such as MTSS dashboards, to monitor student progress and develop early warning systems.

This one-time investment would provide students with the support they need and equip educators with the long-term tools and training to create sustained systems of support. This investment provides a critical opportunity to build strong partnerships with families, aligning school- and home-based supports to holistically address behavior challenges, foster inclusion, and better serve all learners. By preventing premature assessments for special education services, these proactive strategies would support positive student outcomes and strengthen the long-term fiscal stability of California’s public education system. Leveraging available one-time Proposition 98 funding for these critical supports will maximize the impact of California’s historic investment in universal TK, equip educators to address emerging behavioral challenges, and keep our youngest learners on the path to lifelong success.”

In March, San Diego Unified joined other school districts in California, in authoring a letter that requested Pop 98 funds be released.  The other districts were Fresno Unified, Los Angeles Unified, Long Beach Unified, San Bernardino City Unified, and San Francisco Unified. Read the letter here. In February, San Diego Unified joined an even larger coalition to oppose the withholding of the $5.6 billion. Read the letter here. 

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

TUESDAY: SD UNIFIED LEADERS, TEACHERS & STAFF TO URGE RELEASE OF $5.6 BILLION IN EDUCATION FUNDING BEING WITHHELD IN GOVERNOR’S BUDGET

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

SD UNIFIED LEADERS, TEACHERS & STAFF URGE RELEASE OF $5.6 BILLION
IN EDUCATION FUNDING BEING WITHHELD IN GOVERNOR’S BUDGET    

 

WHAT: Press Conference

WHY: San Diego Unified School District leaders and educators are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to release $5.6 Billion in education funds that could support universal interventions, special education services, teachers, and other vital programs. This push comes ahead of Governor Newsom’s expected May Budget Revise; after year-to-date revenues have come in $8.6B above the Governor’s January projections, and the California State Senate’s “Foundation for the Future” budget plan which restores K-12 education funding. During the press conference, the leaders from San Diego will discuss why the release of withheld $5.6 billion is vital to supporting students, and what they are doing to advocate for full funding.  

WHEN: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 @ 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal St. San Diego CA, 92103 (Near Flagpole)

WHO:
Fabi Bagula, Superintendent, San Diego Unified School District
Richard Barrera, President, Board of Education, San Diego Unified School District
Monique Barrett, San Diego Education Association President Elect (SDEA)
Dawn Basques, President, California School Employees Association (CSEA), Chapter 788
Kristi Hunter-Clark, Vice President,  Administrators Association of San Diego City Schools, and Chollas Mead Principal
Dr. Angelia Watkins, Director of Special Education, San Diego Unified
Trustees, San Diego Unified Board of Education
California School Employees Association Chapter 759 Paraeducators
California School Employees Association Chapter 724 Operations Support Services
Administrators Association of San Diego City Schools (AASD)
SDEA leaders
Parents of Students  

MEDIA
PARKING: Parking lot, nearby street parking

___________________________________________________________________________________
Media Contact: James Canning, 313-580-2845, Jcanning@sandi.net

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

San Diego Unified's New Showcase of Learning April 29; 150 Innovative Projects on Display

Editor Note: Student projects are available for in-studio interviews and on-camera demonstrations the week of April 21-25. Contact the media contact below to schedule.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            Media Contact:

                                                           James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845
                                                            Isa McNeil, imcneil@sandi.net, 619-341-2343 

 

San Diego Unified's New Showcase of Learning Puts Student Success on Display with 150 Innovative Projects April 29 

Student-Built Drones, Tiny Homes and Living Ecosystems Showcase Future-Ready Skills

SAN DIEGO, April 17, 2026 — San Diego Unified School District's 2026 Showcase of Learning takes on a new format this year, bringing together 150 student-led projects from across the district for a hands-on public experience featuring student-built drones, tiny homes, living ecosystems and innovative projects designed to highlight student skills for the future. The free District Showcase of Learning is on Wednesday, April 29, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Lincoln High School.  

Thousands of students are graduating future-ready, with hands-on experience, industry certifications, and career-aligned skills developed through the district's College, Career and Technical Education pathways, Project-Based Learning programs, Visual and Performing Arts programs, and Community Schools initiatives.                                          

“A San Diego Unified education opens doors for students,” said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D. “We are preparing students to have a choice-filled life by connecting them to industries with high-demand, livable-wage jobs and giving them the tools to succeed before they ever leave our classrooms. Walk through that door on April 29 and you will see students who are already building, designing, and solving problems alongside industry professionals.”

Featured student projects span engineering and architecture, building and construction trades, agriculture, arts, media and entertainment, and health science across the district's 29 career pathways in 13 industry sectors, including:

Rescue Drone (Point Loma High School): Engineering students designed a drone attachment for San Diego Lifeguard Services to help prevent drowning deaths along the city's coastline.

Tiny Home (La Jolla High School): Students constructed a fully livable structure, including framing, plumbing, electrical and roofing, that will serve as low-cost community housing upon completion.

Garden 2 Class 2 Table (ALBA Community Day School): Community Schools students manage a living aquaponics ecosystem consisting of 60 fish, 160 shrimp and 148 plants. Through the Garden 2 Class 2 Table program, students learn food entrepreneurship skills and sell their harvest at local markets.

"Aquaponics has changed school because it is another interesting thing that we can work on," said Diego Verdugo, an 11th grader at ALBA Community Day School. "We come together as a school and everyone helps. It's nice for our families to see because they can see what we are doing outside of the classroom."

Slow Fashion Day (Crawford High School): VAPA Artivism students transformed discarded fabrics into original wearable art for a city-wide festival now officially recognized by the San Diego City Council.

Student Recipe Competition (Morse High School Culinary Program with Sandi Coast Cafe): Culinary students competed to develop original recipes for district school menus. Three finalist recipes, selected by the district's food services team from seven student groups, will be featured at the Showcase, where attendees can taste and vote for their favorite. The winning recipe will be incorporated into the middle and high school menu for the 2026-2027 academic year, giving students a direct voice in their school nutrition program.

"Visual and Performing Arts experiences equip students with career-ready skills while strengthening their connection to the community. As the workforce increasingly values creativity, collaboration and innovation, San Diego Unified is proud to provide the foundation that helps our students adapt and thrive in careers, many of which have yet to be imagined," said Shane Schmeichel, senior director of Visual and Performing Arts.

That foundation extends into the district’s College, Career and Technical Education programs, where students graduate with more than classroom experience. Beginning with exploratory CTE courses in middle school, students are introduced to a range of career fields and opportunities that continue into 188 high school CTE courses across 29 pathways in 13 industry sectors. These pathways provide hands-on, real-world learning experiences and opportunities to earn industry certifications. In addition, students can earn transferable college credit at no cost through Credit by Exam (CBE) and College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP), helping them accelerate toward their college and career goals.

"Students don't just explore careers. They earn credits, gain certifications and walk away with a head start, whether entering the workforce or walking onto a college campus," said Rick Cooke, San Diego Unified's senior director of College, Career and Technical Education.

Ensuring every student sees themselves reflected in that experience is equally central to the district's approach. Community Schools initiatives work to make learning relevant, inclusive and rooted in the communities students come from.

"All students deserve to see their identities, communities and voices reflected in their learning spaces. An investment in innovative instructional practices that foster student-led projects highlights the efficacy of uplifting our children's assets," said Jason Babineau, senior director of Community Schools.

The 2026 Showcase of Learning is free and open to the public. Families, community members and industry partners are invited to attend and experience firsthand what San Diego Unified students are building, creating and solving. The event is also an opportunity for businesses and organizations to connect with the district and explore partnerships that invest in San Diego's future workforce. The event takes place Wednesday, April 29, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Lincoln High School.

For more information visit www.SanDiegoUnified.org

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org