San Jose Unified: More Than Just a Number of Schools

San Jose Unified: More Than Just a Number of Schools

San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD)? It’s been around the block, that’s for sure. Established way back in 1853, it’s a real cornerstone of education here in Silicon Valley. We’re talking about a district that juggles the education of roughly 25,000 to 30,000 students! That’s a lot of kids.

So, how many schools are we actually talking about? SJUSD operates 41 schools. That’s spread out all over the place, from the hustle and bustle of Downtown San Jose to the quieter, family-friendly Almaden Valley. Being the biggest school district in the Santa Clara Valley, and ranking as the 24th largest in California, SJUSD is kind of a big deal in shaping how our kids learn and grow.

Let’s break down what those 41 schools actually are:

• Elementary Schools: The backbone. SJUSD has 26 of these, where the learning adventure begins.
• Middle Schools: Six of them, helping kids navigate those tricky in-between years.
• High Schools: Six more, where students gear up for college, careers, and whatever comes next. They offer a ton of different classes and clubs, too.
• Alternative Education: Because one size doesn’t fit all, there’s also a continuation high school and an alternative education program for students who need a different kind of support.

Now, SJUSD has been around for over 164 years! Over that time, it’s actually overseen a total of 53 elementary schools. San Jose High School, which opened its doors in 1863, is the second-oldest public high school in California. Pretty cool, right?

Of course, things change. Like everything else in the Bay Area, SJUSD has seen its share of ups and downs. Enrollment has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately. A report mentioned a dip of 6.3% between 2020 and 2022, but then it bounced back a little, growing by 1.5% the next year. What’s behind all this? Well, the Bay Area’s expensive, remote work is more common now, and COVID-19 threw a wrench in everything. Even with these challenges, SJUSD keeps plugging away, doing its best for the community.

What makes San Jose Unified stand out? A few things:

• Dedicated People: SJUSD has a workforce that’s not only skilled but also reflects the diversity of our community.
• Future-Focused Programs: They’re not stuck in the past. SJUSD is thinking ahead, with programs that help students get ready for the jobs of tomorrow.
• Good Relationships: The district works well with its labor unions, which means everyone’s on the same page when it comes to supporting teachers and students.

How does SJUSD stack up academically? Niche gives them a B+ overall. State test scores show that about 38% of students are doing well in math, and 51% in reading. Niche.com also ranked the district pretty high in terms of diversity and athletics.

Want to know more? You can reach San Jose Unified here:

• Address: 855 Lenzen Avenue, San José, CA 95126
• Phone: 408-535-6000
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.sjusd.org

San Jose Unified isn’t just a collection of buildings or a set of numbers. It’s a vital part of San Jose, working hard to give all its students a great education.