Fostering academic excellence, opportunity, and belonging
The San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) maintains its status as the top-performing school district in the county and one of the most desired districts in the state with enriching academic offerings, opportunities for interest exploration, and a positive culture of belonging.
SDUHSD is dedicated to providing a high-quality education for each and every one of its 12,000 students to demonstrate academic growth and optimize individual potential.
Academic Excellence
SDUHSD students continue to excel academically, surpassing state and county averages, as evidenced by nearly 11,000 AP exams administered this year within the District. SDUHSD is among the state’s top performers, earning blue California Dashboard indicators in ELA (English Language Arts) and mathematics. Notably, six individuals, are among the top 1% of high school students in the state having recently received recognition as National Merit Scholars.
La Costa Canyon High School (LCC), the only school within San Dieguito Union High School District in Carlsbad, has a flourishing International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program. Recently completing its sixth year, this rigorous academic option provides students with opportunities to accelerate their learning from both an individualized and global perspective. This popular program is realizing annual gains and the number of students participating has recently doubled.
Nurturing Every Student’s Unique Drive
Academic excellence is mirrored at LCC through its Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and athletic program offerings. La Costa Canyon High School Principal, Justin Conn shares, “We are dedicated to being a school where every student is able to find connections through an activity, program, or offering of their choice.”
The VPA program at LCC recently completed a successful run of its 23-24 season with a lead performer earning the distinction of being recognized as one of the Top 10 male performers by the Broadway San Diego Awards. Five students represented the district at a recent Congressional Art competition for their artwork with an SDUHSD student earning first place. Their artwork was featured in a local museum and will be sent to Washington for display in the United States Capitol.
The opportunities for athletics at LCC are abundant. Over half of the students participate in at least one sport, with 35 different varsity-level sports offered. The district’s athletic programs are recognized at both state and national levels.
Cultivating a Culture
of Belonging
As a district with a long history of academic achievement, SDUHSD is committed to enhancing a positive culture and a classroom learning climate with the skills that prepare students for optimal college, career, and life success. The district’s multi-year partnership with the National Conflict Resolution Center, the One San Dieguito Initiative, provides students and staff opportunities to build shared understanding across diverse backgrounds. Beginning in January of 2024, the initiative has already trained over 350 students, including student-athletes and leadership ASB. Areas of student training include the Art of Inclusive Communication where students explore strategies and techniques to embrace and promote inclusivity, and the Art of Science of High-Performance Teams which includes new research on team dynamics, with a focus on building good relationships, enhancing trust, and becoming an upstander.
When students feel seen, heard, respected, and safe, they can focus on their learning with confidence and support, leading to greater achievement and opportunities.
For more information on SDUHSD, please visit www.sduhsd.net