This week, Escondido Union School District launched a new Superintendent Trustee Advisory Roundtable (STAR), bringing together representatives from across our community to collaborate and help guide the district forward. Parents, certificated and classified staff, management, and board members engaged in meaningful dialogue focused on addressing declining enrollment and working together to develop real, actionable solutions. Through shared perspectives and problem-solving, this group will continue to provide guidance and support as Incoming Superintendent Andy McGuire takes the helm, ensuring our decisions are informed by diverse voices and a shared commitment to moving EUSD forward for our students and families.
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
EXPLORE Classes Begin:
We are thrilled to announce that the Spring Session of EXPLORE classes officially kicks off this Monday, January 26. With 527 classes offered across EUSD, there is truly something for everyone! Whether your student is diving into STEM, getting creative with art and theatre, or staying active with sports, we are proud to provide a space where they can discover new interests. We can’t wait to see our students EXPLORE their unlimited potential after school!
Summative ELPAC:
Students in kindergarten through grade eight who are classified as English learners will take the Summative ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessments for California) every year until they are reclassified as proficient in English. Administration of the Summative ELPAC will begin in EUSD on Monday, February 2, and will continue through Friday, May 29. Each school has a specific testing window within the EUSD window. If you have questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher or principal. To learn more about the ELPAC, go to the Starting Smarter Website.
Foundation fundraiser:
We invite you to join the all-volunteer Escondido Education Foundation for its annual “Fall in Love with Escondido Schools” fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 6, at St. Petka’s Serbian Orthodox Church. The foundation welcomes parents, colleagues, and community members to this lively event that features good food, great friends of education, exciting auctions, and a special recognition of “caring hearts” – individuals and organizations that go above and beyond for our students. Reserve your spot early for the best price! Tickets are $60 per person if purchased by February 5. Tickets purchased after that are $75 per person at the door. Tickets are available on the foundation’s website. All proceeds go toward the Dr. Mike Caston Innovation Awards, which fund classroom and school grants in our district.
EUSD Hiring Event
Join us at our next hiring event on Tuesday, January 27, at 8:30 a.m. Human Resources team members will be on hand to guide individuals seeking classified positions through the application process. The event is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the District Office, 2310 Aldergrove Avenue. Walk-ins are welcome!
School Choice:
The School Choice application window for the 2026-2027 school year is open through Friday, January 30. Typically, students attend the schools that serve the neighborhood attendance areas in which they live. School Choice is an opportunity for families to apply for an intradistrict transfer for their child to attend a school other than their neighborhood school of residence, such as one of EUSD’s specialty schools:
Quantum Academy, a project-based learning school of choice for grades 4 through 8. Students live by Quantum’s five core values: lead with empathy, ask questions and seek answers, create, impact the community, and perseverance.
Dual Language Immersion at Farr, Glen View, Lincoln, and Pioneer, with a pathway to continue at Mission Middle School. The program begins in TK and follows an instructional model that is designed to promote bilingualism, biliteracy, and biculturalism for students whose primary language is English, as well as those whose primary language is Spanish.
Conway Academy of Expeditionary Learning, follows the expeditionary learning model, or EL Model, which is a project-based learning approach with the core of the work's emphasis on authentic, multidisciplinary experiential learning and integration of rigorous content with real-world experiences that foster relational character development, and empower students to make the world a better place.
Explore all of our schools online. School Choice details and application links can be found on our website.
Early Education Enrollment:
New Student Enrollment opened on January 13, 2026, for Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Special Education Preschool. EUSD offers a full-day Transitional Kindergarten program to bridge the path between preschool and Kindergarten. For the 2026-2027 school year, children are eligible for TK if their date of birth is between September 2, 2021, and September 1, 2022. Students applying for Kindergarten must be age 5 on or before September 1, 2026. Students in EUSD TK and Kindergarten programs are eligible to participate in their school’s optional Expanded Learning program. The Expanded Learning program provides before- and after-school student care, from 6:30 a.m. to the morning bell and from the dismissal bell to 6:00 p.m. To find your neighborhood school of residence, use our online school locator tool. For questions regarding Special Education Preschool or about your student’s Special Education needs for next school year, contact the team at spedsupport@eusd.org.
Resources for Food Assistance
We want to make sure families are aware of local resources that offer free food and support for those who may need it. Here are a few options available in our community:
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need help connecting with these resources.
Breakfast and Lunch Menus:
All EUSD students have access to no-cost breakfast and lunch. Families can view our new online menus. Select your school and menu to see what is being served every day.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools