San Dieguito Union High School District

The history of SDUHSD and Dieguito High School Academy is shared, and it has been intertwined with the community we serve since our doors first opened. This upcoming school year marks our 90th anniversary, and to honor this milestone, we are seeking support from the same community by forming a Planning Team to help shape our celebrations.

We need hands-on involvement from community members, local businesses, alumni, retired teachers, and students. Your unique perspectives will help us honor nine decades of excellence.

Our 90th Anniversary Planning Team interest form is open through Friday, June 19, 2026: https://forms.gle/1AEtSGvkW2sXaPii9

Your voice shapes our schools! SDUHSD is inviting all members of our school community to participate in the annual Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Survey. Your feedback is crucial in updating our plan, as it aligns our district's educational goals with financial resource allocation.

This survey is your opportunity to share what is working well in our schools, identify areas for improvement, and highlight the supports and services our students and staff need most.

Survey is open through Tuesday, June 16: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdX-r9nGyYmQv6ATRBKZWUyqgdImdKutCQNZ89Q0RZZQR2oXg/viewform?usp=dialog

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎓🎉Today, approximately 2,100 seniors across the San Dieguito Union High School District received their diplomas, marking the culmination of their K-12 educational journey. The district also held promotion ceremonies for 8th-grade students transitioning to high school.

There is immense pride across SDUHSD for all that these students have accomplished, and we look forward to the impact they will all make in the world. Whether our graduates are continuing to college, entering the workforce, or exploring new opportunities, they leave with the support and encouragement of the entire SDUHSD community behind them. We wish all students continued success in everything that lies ahead.

Last week marked the final board meeting for our 2025–26 Student Board Representatives, whose voices and perspectives provided valuable insight throughout the school year.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Ben Du (Canyon Crest Academy), Joelle Neumann (La Costa Canyon High School), Jonah Lupien (San Dieguito HS Academy), Romeo Prom (Requeza Educational Center), and Henri Tanghe (Torrey Pines High School) for their time, leadership, and commitment to representing their peers.

We are incredibly proud to announce the winners of the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE) Excellence in Special Education Awards for the 2025-26 school year. These awards recognize individuals and teams who demonstrate exceptional commitment, compassion, and innovation in supporting students with special needs. Please join us in celebrating the following honorees from our district:

🏆Patti Elson-Becknell Memorial Award for Excellence in Related Services: Christina Filia, Canyon Crest Academy
Named in honor of a beloved advocate, this prestigious award recognizes a related service provider who demonstrates extraordinary professional expertise. Christina is being recognized for her innovative approach and unwavering commitment to helping students reach their full potential.

🏆Supportive Student Award: Peyton Blakely, La Costa Canyon High School
This award celebrates a student who has gone above and beyond to support, include, and advocate for their peers with disabilities. Whether through daily acts of kindness or fostering a more inclusive campus culture, Peyton represents the very best of our student body.

🏆Collaborative Team Award: Instructional Assistants, La Costa Canyon High School
This award honors a group that works seamlessly together, crossing departments and roles, to create a cohesive, supportive environment for students. This team's dedication to communication and shared goals has truly made an impact on student success.

Congratulations to Ramon Muñoz, School Plant Supervisor at Carmel Valley Middle School, for being named the District Classified Employee of the Year. Ramon started with the District in 2007 as a Custodian and was promoted to School Plant Supervisor in 2009. Ramon is dedicated to his school site, his team, and the Maintenance & Operations Department. Ramon also supports the community and outside organizations with their use of the facilities. Ramon is an extraordinary example of a classified employee and is well deserving of this recognition.

We would also like to congratulate our site/department Classified Employees of the Year. This amazing group of classified employees reflects the best of employees in the classified service, dedicated to supporting students and their sites. Congratulations!

🔵 Canyon Crest Academy: Shannon Cary, Accounting Assistant, ASB
🔵 Carmel Valley Middle School: Ian Richards, Carmel Valley Middle School
🔵 Diegueno Middle School: Angel Chavez, Instructional Asst. - MLL
🔵 District Office: Mariceila Gonzalez, Accountant
🔵 Earl Warren Middle School: Monica Ramirez, Secretary
🔵 La Costa Canyon High School: Stacey Doyle, Receptionist
🔵 Nutrition Services: Carolina Correa, Production Assistant
🔵 Oak Crest Middle School: Aimee Novem, Administrative Assistant I
🔵 Pacific Trails Middle School: Vetha Pierce, Administrative Assistant III
🔵 San Dieguito Academy: Greg August, Campus Supervisor
🔵 Sunset/Coast: Michelle Miller, Administrative Assistant III
🔵 Torrey Pines High School: Tamara Rey, Administrative Assistant IV
🔵 Transportation: Juvencio Rangel

Three members of the SDUHSD community were recently recognized at the 25th annual Leadership in Biliteracy Symposium, celebrating educators, students, and community leaders who support multilingualism across San Diego County.

San Dieguito HS Academy senior Lluvia Marcial del Angel was honored as a recipient of the Bea Gonzales Biliteracy Scholarship, recognizing students who have earned the State Seal of Biliteracy and demonstrated outstanding academic achievement.

Carmel Valley Middle School English teacher and Multilingual Learner Lead Shannon Merideth, along with SDUHSD Coordinator of Multilingual Learners Miriam Kramer, were recognized as Leaders in Biliteracy for their dedication to supporting multilingual learners, strengthening family engagement, and fostering welcoming school communities.

These recognitions reflect SDUHSD’s ongoing efforts in creating learning environments where multilingualism, belonging, and student success are celebrated. Congratulations to all three honorees on this well-deserved recognition!

Last week, SDUHSD students and educators were honored at the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce’s Salute to Education ceremony. This annual event brought together local leaders and families to celebrate the dedication and academic achievements within our school community. Congratulations to:

🔵Diegueño Middle School: Rishi Sharma (Student) & Jason Moldovan (Teacher)
🔵Earl Warren Middle School: Sandra McLellan (Student) & Amy Masuda (Teacher)
🔵Oak Crest Middle School: Phoenix Wilson (Student) & Julie Bassler (Teacher)
🔵Canyon Crest Academy: Christina Filia (Teacher)
🔵La Costa Canyon HS: Lizzy Woods (Teacher)
🔵Sunset HS: Carolyn Lee (Teacher)

The evening culminated with eight students from this year’s Rising Star program who were announced as scholarship recipients:
🔵Canyon Crest Academy: Joely Klaristenfeld & Ben Du
🔵La Costa Canyon HS: Shiri Adato
🔵San Dieguito HS Academy: Jason Gallant, D***a Hernández Gregorio, & Lluvia Marcial Del Ángel
🔵Torrey Pines HS: Jiwon Ryu & Sadaf Barekzai

We are immensely proud of these honorees for representing the best of SDUHSD. Thank you to the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce for celebrating the bright future of our students and the incredible educators who guide them.

San Dieguito Union High School District is proud to announce Catherine Mintz as this year's SDUHSD Teacher of the Year!

With 26 years of service, Catherine has made an extraordinary impact on generations of students through her unwavering belief in their potential. Known to many as “Mama Mintz,” she sets high expectations and meets every student with compassion, consistency, and care. She is a teacher who shows up every day for her students and for her colleagues. Catherine’s influence extends far beyond her classroom at Torrey Pines High School. As a mentor, department leader, and district coordinator, she supports educators across all sites, helping to strengthen instruction and build connections. Her work reflects a deep commitment to student success, not just in academics, but in life.

Beyond our district honoree, we are proud to recognize our Site Teachers of the Year. This exceptional cohort represents the gold standard of education within SDUHSD, answering the noble call of teaching with grace, expertise, and a daily commitment to inspire every student who enters their classrooms. We are profoundly proud of their achievements and deeply grateful for their dedication to our district:

🔵Amy Masuda, Earl Warren Middle School
🔵Rod Keillor, San Dieguito HS Academy
🔵Carolyn Lee, Sunset HS / Online Learning Program
🔵Jason Moldovan, Diegueño Middle School
🔵Christina Filia, Canyon Crest Academy
🔵Tamara Espinoza, Carmel Valley Middle School
🔵Rachel Provenzano, Pacific Trails Middle School
🔵Julie Bassler, Oak Crest Middle School
🔵Lizzy Woods, La Costa Canyon High School

For the first time since 2011, the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) has begun developing a new, districtwide Facilities Master Plan (FMP). This comprehensive effort will establish a long-range, 30-year vision for each of our campuses, ensuring that our schools continue to meet the evolving needs of students, staff, and the broader community.

We invite you to participate in one of our upcoming Community Town Hall meetings, where the proposed Facilities Master Plans for each campus will be presented, and public feedback will be welcomed:

📆May 11 at San Dieguito HS Academy, gathering feedback for: Diegueño MS, Oak Crest MS, La Costa Canyon HS, San Dieguito HS Academy, and the Requeza Educational Center.

📆May 13 at Pacific Trails Middle School, gathering feedback for: Pacific Trails MS, Carmel Valley MS, Earl Warren MS, Canyon Crest Academy, and Torrey Pines HS.

These meetings are an important opportunity for community members to learn more about the proposed improvements and help shape the future of our schools.