FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN DIEGO UNIFIED STUDENTS MAKE STRONG GAINS IN LITERACY AND MATH
Morse High School Cluster is a Model for Student Success
SAN DIEGO (MARCH 25, 2026) – Morse High School cluster students are examples of the success students at San Diego Unified School District schools are having in literacy and mathematics comprehension. The latest California School Dashboard shows Morse High School cluster at Green in English Language Arts, with students now averaging 15.2 points above the standard — an improvement from the prior year of 6.5 points and a notable gain since 2022, when Morse was 6.9 points below standard. Morse High School students also improved in math, by 12.2 points.
During a regular San Diego Unified Board of Education meeting held Tuesday night at Morse High School, the classroom lessons, students support and realtime data use was highlighted by educators and students alike as part of a progress monitoring report by district officials on math and literacy.
"Our students' growth in both literacy and math reflects the intentional work happening in our classrooms every day," said Erika Simmons, Principal of Pacific View Leadership Elementary. "By knowing every student by name and by need while using student data to guide instruction and provide timely support, our teachers are able to meet students where they are and help them continue to grow and succeed."
According to the 2025 California Schools Dashboard, San Diego Unified schools' overall improvement in English Language Arts increased by +5.2 points compared to 2024 scores and in mathematics by +4.5 points compared to 2024 scores.
During the progress monitoring report, there were some advancements by students that district educators are very encouraged to see, including:
English Language Arts (Literacy)
Summative results—the evaluation of student learning at the end of the school year—show that San Diego Unified students are making meaningful progress:
San Diego Unified's Distance from Standard for ELA has surpassed its original projection, from 10.2 points to 12.4 points, exceeding its original annual growth goal.
Latino students, English Learners and Students with Disabilities who once performed at a lower level are performing at a better rate, outpacing the district average and closing the achievement gap in literacy.
Mathematics
Formative results—the ongoing process of checking for understanding during learning—show overall growth in student learning is happening, considering that new math curriculum was introduced in grades K-5 in the 2025-26 school year:
Goal 3.1
55% of all students met mid year goal, which is close to 56.8%.
55% of all students met mid year goal, which is close to 56.8%.
Goal 3.2
Goal was 28.8% and they have surpassed it to 40%, showing encouraging signs of students meeting their stretch growth goal, which is an ambitious goal individualized to each student.
Goal was 28.8% and they have surpassed it to 40%, showing encouraging signs of students meeting their stretch growth goal, which is an ambitious goal individualized to each student.
Other Celebrations
Students Showing Strong Mid-Year Progress Across Reading and Math
At the midpoint of the school year, more than half of San Diego Unified students are on track to meet end-of-year goals—56% in reading and nearly 55% in math—putting the district within reach of its annual targets.
At the midpoint of the school year, more than half of San Diego Unified students are on track to meet end-of-year goals—56% in reading and nearly 55% in math—putting the district within reach of its annual targets.
Accelerating Progress for Students Who Need It Most
Students receiving additional academic support are making strong gains, with 43.5% of ELA Spotlight students and 40.0% of Math Spotlight students already meeting ambitious mid-year growth goals—an encouraging sign that achievement gaps are beginning to close.
Students receiving additional academic support are making strong gains, with 43.5% of ELA Spotlight students and 40.0% of Math Spotlight students already meeting ambitious mid-year growth goals—an encouraging sign that achievement gaps are beginning to close.
Middle School Students Leading the Way
Eighth grade students are showing the strongest momentum, with more than half meeting expected growth in both reading and math.
Eighth grade students are showing the strongest momentum, with more than half meeting expected growth in both reading and math.
Growth Happening at Every Level
Students who began the year at or above grade level are continuing to excel, with more than 70% meeting growth goals. At the same time, students across all levels are making meaningful academic progress—reflecting a system focused on growth for every student.
District leaders attribute the improvements to numerous factors that vary by schools, but a common factor is the growing use of student achievement data by educators to help students make real-time adjustments that support students.
"Our educators are now becoming increasingly comfortable with using student achievement data dashboards throughout the school year to evaluate areas students are seeing growth and where they need extra support," said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified. "We're seeing gradual districtwide progress because our educators are now able to intervene before a child falls behind. We still have a lot of work to do to meet our student achievement goals by 2030."
Other actions district educators are taking to address and help improve student outcomes include: professional learning from the University of Washington's Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) with area superintendents, district leaders and principal leadership coaches. All principals are part of instructional walks looking at data, student experiences and instruction with the CEL learnings in cohorts with other principals.
San Diego Unified's four student achievement goals guide the district's academic and wellness priorities are:
- Goal #1: Improve Student Wellness,
- Goal #2: Increase Communication Skills and Literacy Achievement,
- Goal #3: Increase Problem Solving Skills and Mathematics Achievement and
- Goal #4: Increase College and Career Readiness.
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