Event Coverage
Redwood City School District Superintendent Speaks at South Tour Meeting
Redwood City School District Superintendent Jan Christensen invites SAMCAR Realtors to promote the district’s schools to their clients. After all, the Redwood City School District aims to be a premier California school district, and the district has taken strong steps to accelerating gains and has made great progress, she said.
“We believe we have come a long way up. Every year, the trajectory is going up, and we will continue in that trend,” said Christensen, who spoke about the school district to SAMCAR Realtors and affiliates at this week’s South Tour Meeting in Redwood City.
Test scores have been steadily rising in the school district, reported Christensen. In 2007, 10 of the district’s schools achieved Academic Performance Index (API) scores of 700 or above; four schools gained 40 points or more, including an impressive 74 points gain by Taft School, the highest school gain in San Mateo County; North Star Academy had the seventh highest API score in the state; the district had the third highest growth in API scores in the county; and 10 schools met the Annual Yearly Progress targets set by the California Department of Education.
But Christensen emphasized, “Test scores don’t tell the whole story.” She said the district has a very diverse population, with many ELL (English Language Learners) students and noted it is very difficult for a child coming from another country to learn the English language and demonstrate and be tested for proficiency after only one year.
In recent years, the Redwood City School District, which serves approximately 8,000 students in Redwood City and portions of San Carlos, Woodside, Menlo Park and Atherton, has invested much in its students, teachers and schools. The district invested $1 million training all of its teachers and principals in the last 12 months; strengthened its emphasis on teacher recruitment, support and retention; conducted an analysis which enables teachers to target instruction to student needs. The district has also strengthened community outreach by increasing written and personal communication with parents and holding community forums on achievements, the budget and its achievement plan.
Highlights of the district’s Achievement Plan include adopting the use of state and district materials; uninterrupted instruction time in language arts, math, science and social studies; “TIG” (Targeted Instructional Groupings) time – differentiated instruction based on students’ needs; training for teachers and principals; support for teachers; assessments; and aligning district financial resources to support the plan.
In addition to all these, the Redwood City School District superintendent said, “We have highly qualified teachers and small class sizes, strong district support, oversight and accountability. I visit the schools and walk the hallways every day.”
Most of all, the district’s schools are community-based schools that connect local families with each other, with opportunities for parents to get involved as partners.
“Our schools are safe,” said Christensen. “We provide a broad-based education beyond academics. Cultural diversity prepares students to live in a global society. Our demographics are a microcosm of the world. … We invite you to tell your clients our story and encourage them to visit our schools.”
The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 3,800 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula. SAMCAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in San Mateo County.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SAMCAR Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (650) 696-8200.
