The Sweetwater Union High School District is committed to empowering students with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the online world safely and become responsible creators/consumers of digital media.

The District’s digital citizenship program teaches students how to use technology effectively and encourages them to take advantage of various of online tools in order to enhance their overall learning experience.

These digital resources promote critical thinking, collaboration, communication and other lifelong skills that help students reach content mastery and be successful in a highly globalized world.

The Sweetwater District educates and empower students and staff through the use of Common Sense Media, which is an online resource that offers a variety of comprehensive learning tools and lessons on popular topics.

The lessons offered by this online resource cover more than 65 topics: internet safety, privacy and security, relationships and communication, cyberbullying and digital drama, digital footprints and reputation, self-image and identity, information literacy, and creative credit and copyright.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

The Sweetwater Union High School District believes every child has the right to feel safe and protected at school. The security and wellbeing of our students is one of our top priorities, which is why starting the 2018-2019 academic year, students will have access to a new mobile app that allows them to submit anonymous threat tips to law enforcement.

The Student Speak Out app connects students with local law enforcement in order to alert officials of any suspicious activity that may be taking place on school grounds. The District’s ultimate goal is to increase campus security while encouraging communication between students, school faculty and law enforcement.

By promoting an environment where people feel comfortable discussing school safety issues, the Sweetwater Districts hopes to find more effective ways to create a safe learning space for all children entrusted in our care.

On March 5, the District held an open meeting at Chula Vista High School to announce the new application and open dialogue about security and how the District can better address certain safety concerns.  

During the meeting, attendees had the opportunity to hear from SUHSD Superintendent Karen Janney, Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas-Salas, CVPD Chief Roxana Kennedy, SUHSD security officers and CVPD’s School Resource Officer Unit.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

The Sweetwater Union High School District promotes social inclusion by encouraging students to engage with the diverse communities around them. Since it was founded, the District has been committed to providing all children with an equal opportunity to receive a quality education.

This year marked a special victory for disabled athletes as the District announced a new rule for the Sweetwater Union High School District’s Unified Sports Track and Field Metro Conference Meet. For the first time ever, the top eight boys and girls in the 4×1 and shot put would get the chance to participate in the CIF San Diego Section Championships held at Mount Carmel High School.

The Sweetwater District is the first out of nine sections in the California Interscholastic Federation to recognize disabled athletes, setting an example for unified sports in other districts across the state.

Worldwide, there is approximately 1.4 million people who participate in unified sports, which empowers individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to come together as one team and practice social inclusion through fun and competitive experiences that breaks stereotypes.

For the past three years, all 13 SUHSD high schools have taken part in the unified sports program, presenting disabled athletes and other minority students the opportunity to play their favorite sports and build strong relationships with their fellow peers.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

The Sweetwater Union High School District prioritizes the success and education of both students and staff, which is why each year, teachers have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through professional development and induction programs.

These programs allow educators to explore effective teaching strategies, adopt new learning tools, evaluate various curriculum resources, learn to implement different forms of technology, complete research on their content area, and immerse themselves in a collaborative environment that encourages an increased understanding of students and education.

For the 2017-2018 academic year, the District’s professional growth initiatives had many participants: There were 253 candidates and 67 mentors in the Teacher Induction Program; 15 teachers for the Teacher Leadership Academy; 280 teachers involved with the Teacher Leadership Book Studies; 17 teachers and 9 AP mentors in the Aspiring Administrators Academy: and 27 new counselors and 12 mentors in the Counselor Induction Program

These programs promote effective first instruction, which is a personalized approach to teaching and learning that is rooted on the expectation that all students can and will succeed. With the right guidance and support from educators and school staff, students can reach their academic goals and obtain lifelong skills that build a strong foundation for their future.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

Last year, the Sweetwater Union High School District and Board of Trustees approved a $37 million initiative to install Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units to all district classrooms and work spaces.

The first phase of the project began approximately one year ago with the installation of 180 units in campuses throughout the district, which extended throughout the 2017-2018 school year.

The District has over 42,000 enrolled students in 7th to 12th grade, 30 campuses across southern California and hundreds of classrooms and workspaces. The HVAC project is a significant investment in the comfort and safety of all students and staff.

To ensure students are receiving a quality education, the District has made numerous investments in school maintenance. In addition to the HVAC project, there has also been gym modernizations at Southwest High and Castle Park High, and field renovations at National City Middle.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

The Sweetwater Union High School District celebrates diversity and ensures all students have an equal opportunity to achieve their academic goals by providing educators with climate and culture training that addresses the needs of distinct demographics.

Located in southern San Diego County, the Sweetwater District is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners in the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro.

The purpose of climate and culture training is to promote educational equity within each campus, which would ensure that historically underserved or underrepresented populations meet the same rigorous standards for academic performance expected of all children, regardless of their background.

Over the past year, the District has provided staff with statistical data on each school and student demographics, which was collected through surveys, interviews and observations. The studies revealed details about student support/resources, academic relationships, mental and physical health, educational environment, safety/security, and defining characteristics of each school’s population.

To eliminate educational disparities and achieve systemic equity, the Equity, Culture and Support Services Office has led school staff through data analysis sessions that take a closer look at the structural/institutional biases that impact student outcomes and learning opportunities. During these training sessions, staff gains the knowledge and skills necessary to create a more equitable school climate that positively responds to a wide range of cultural norms, values and learning styles.

To show educational equity, each school must exhibit inclusion, fairness, equal access and positive outcomes: There must be caring relationships between peers and adults, a healthy learning environment that promotes physical/emotional wellbeing, and students must feel supported as they reach higher levels of learning and achievement.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) at San Ysidro High School offers students the opportunity to adopt life-long skills and engage in a rigorous learning environment.

The JROTC program is the Department of Defense’s largest youth development program, with approximately 314,000 students enrolled in JROTC in over 1,700 high schools around the country.

The program serves to help students achieve five main outcomes: learn to act with integrity and personal accountability in a diverse and global workforce; make decisions that promote positive social, emotional, and physical health; value the role of the military and other service organizations; graduate prepared to excel in post-secondary options and career pathways; and engage in civic and social concerns in the community, government and society.

Student who participate in the JROTC program show a high rate of academic success and self-discipline. The program uses a world-class, technology driven curriculum to teach students leadership, wellness, citizenship, physical fitness, social and communication skills, diversity, geography, and civics. These lessons motivate students to reach academic excellence and model good citizenship. Across the nation, JROTC program participants have less than a 1% dropout rate, have better attendance and a 93% graduation rate.  

The JROTC program is taught by qualified retired military personnel.  Each instructor is selected based on military experience, stability, maturity and leadership acquired over their 20 years of service in the military.

At San Ysidro High School, the JROTC program is facilitated by Chief Raul Campos, who is a retired member from the U. S. Navy. Campos served for 27 years, is qualified with Special Forces and served as an instructor in Central and South America. He has been the Naval Science Instructor for San Ysidro High School since 2005. The program’s Senior Naval Science Instructor is Lieutenant Commander Terrie Lohmeyer, who retired from the U.S. Navy after serving 21 years as a Fleet Support Officer, Human Resource Officer and Naval Officer Recruiter.  She has worked at San Ysidro High School since 2012.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

The Sweetwater Union High School District is committed to providing a quality education and exciting academic experience by ensuring each student has the opportunity to challenge themselves both inside and outside the classroom. Extracurricular activities, such as sports, have shown to increase academic achievement, social skills, and a strong sense of community, which are essential components of a well-rounded education.

The District offers boys and girls a variety of interscholastic athletic activities for grades 7th to 12th, including football, basketball, soccer, baseball, swimming/diving, softball, lacrosse, track and field, volleyball, tennis, and golf. Throughout the school year, students can play in tournaments as teams or for individual awards during league sponsored athletic competitions.

All SUHSD programs and activities are free from discrimination and encourages all students to participate in extracurricular activities, regardless of their sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, physical or mental disability, religion, or other defining characteristics. Our students can expect to have an equal opportunity to play sports, receive equal treatment in school sports programs, and are advised to issue complaints about such inequalities.

Through its athletic programs, the district fosters a sense of unity, leadership, and self-confidence. Students who participate in extracurricular activities gain numerous life skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, effective communication, self-discipline, good citizenship and much more.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

School safety is a top priority to the Sweetwater Union High School District. We believe all students and faculty members deserve to feel protected while in school and prepared to respond to any emergency situation. On March 5th, the Sweetwater Union High School District held a special open meeting at Chula Vista High School to discuss school safety and campus security.

Parents and students had the opportunity to speak with representatives from the Chula Vista Police Department, the City of Chula Vista and the Sweetwater District about school safety procedures and security efforts at each campus.

To ensure the safety of all students and faculty members, the district has partnered with local law enforcement to provide district-wide safety and security training to prepare all staff for emergency situations. The district has also hired a full time Security Coordinator and Advisor, who oversees the successful implementation of security measures at each school and works to increase awareness of emergency response protocol.

In addition to physical safety, the Sweetwater District is addressing the emotional wellbeing of each student and staff member by partnering with community service agencies to create a strong network of support and by promoting a positive climate that fosters unity and sense of community at every SUHSD school.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

As an advocate of lifelong learning and equal access to education, the Sweetwater Union School District is strongly committed to the success of its 20,000 adult learners.

During the 2017-2018 school year, the District offered over a dozen courses across four campuses to students interested in completing their education, acquiring special certification, improving their English language skills, expanding their knowledge of California’s largest industries and much more.

The SUHSD Division of Adult Education works together with students to create an academic plan that maps each semester and helps them achieve their academic goals.

Students have a variety of courses and program pathways to choose from: Adult Literacy;  Career technical Education, High School Diploma/GED; English as a Second Language and Citizenship; Agriculture and Natural Resources; Arts, Media and Entertainment; Building and Construction Trades; Business and Finance; Education, Child Development and Family Services; Health Science and Medical Technology; Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation; Information and Communication Technologies; Manufacturing and Product Development; Transportation; Marketing, Sales and Services; Parenting and Family.     

The District has four adult schools located across southern California, which includes the Chula Vista Adult School, National City Adult School, the San Ysidro Adult School and the Montgomery Adult School in San Diego.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.