Principal's Message

This past October, Mission Estancia was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the Department of Education.  One of 27 schools in California, Mission Estancia was the only school in San Diego County recognized.  In May of 2006 we were recognized by the California Department of Education as a California Distinguished School.  Our school is a high performing school with over 80% of our students scoring in the proficient or advanced level in state testing in the areas of language arts and mathematics. Certainly a tribute to the collaborative efforts of our staff, students and parents, we are blessed to be in a community where all stakeholders hold high expectations for the children and work together to motivate and challenge our students to reach their full potential.  Our consistently high Academic Performance Index (most recently 919) is a strong reflection of the passion our staff has for teaching, and the joy our children display for learning.

            Our community is very stable, and most of our students spend their entire elementary school career with us.  Parents actively participate in a wide variety of school and classroom activities, providing thousands of volunteer hours a year.  All Mission Estancia students engage in meaningful curriculum and instruction that is aligned to content standards across grade levels.  Our staff, consisting of 25 classroom teachers and educational learning specialists, is dedicated to nurturing a life-long love for learning.  As our school vision states, we are continually “encouraging children to interact with others to develop responsibility and acquire life-long learning skills needed in a global society, along with an understanding of their vital role in the future.”

Mission Estancia students are provided a strong academic foundation through an engaging, rich curriculum. Our students are actively engaged in a comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum where explicit skills are taught in meaningful, authentic lessons.  All students, regardless of language, special needs, or ability have access to the core curriculum and are held to the same academic standards.

            The educational program at Mission Estancia includes a wide range of services.  Through the Mission Estancia Encinitas Educational Foundation (MEEEF) we have employed music, dance, art and technology consultants, thus providing additional learning opportunities in the visual and performing arts, as well as integrating technology into the curriculum.  Extended learning opportunities are provided in a myriad of programs, such as enrichment classes, Study Buddies, and an individualized intervention lab for those students not yet academically proficient.

            Mission Estancia teachers identify and provide differentiated and specialized instruction to students with specific academic needs.  Support and academic challenges are provided for our Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) students.  Modified instruction and support is offered for English Learners, students with 504 Accommodation Plans, and through the Student Study Team process that addresses the individual child.  Cross-Cultural Language and Development (CLAD) teachers serve English Learners at every grade level providing English Language Development (ELD) support.

            Mission Estancia is proud of the teamwork of all stakeholders working together to develop solutions to challenges, while creating programs that are meaningful and captivating for students.  There is a sincere, highly energetic spirit of innovation and joy present at our school.  It is the trust, commitment and care that we share as staff, parents and students that earned Mission Estancia recognition as a 2007 National Blue Ribbon School.

Sincerely,

Gregg Sonken, Principal