San Jose Public Schools

San Jose schools boast a total student population of 172,397 attending 256 schools in 22 public school districts and 87 private schools. Public school revenue and expenditures vary by school district but San Jose public schools spend an average of $8,704 per student each year.

Student teacher ratio is an important statistic cluing parents into the probable attention their child might receive individually in a classroom setting. San Jose public schools average a student teacher ratio of 18:1. San Jose private schools average 11:1. Also, high schools in San Jose average a student body population of 755, while San Jose middle schools and elementary schools average student body populations of 614 and 522 respectively. For more information or individual school reports click here: San Jose Schools

San José Schools are members of a large urban school district serving about 32,000 students from kindergarten through grade twelve. San Jose Schools represent the eleventh largest urban school district in California, with thirty one elementary schools, seven middle schools, and seven high schools. The student population is 31% Anglo, 49% Hispanic, 13% Asian, 3% Black and 4% other minority. The district's web page states the following Vision Statement: "San Jose Schools [are] learning communit[ies] that inspire students to be the best they can be, equipping them with world class skills, a commitment to lifelong learning, active citizenship in a diverse society, and respect for self and others."

Service Projects: San Jose Schools students learn about service projects through a partnership with Youth Re:Action Corps (www.yrcorps.org), a high school based program to educate young people about local, national and international issues, empower them to create plans for social change, and invest financially in their visions of a better world.

Awards: On May 27, 2007, San Jose Schools announced that the Capitol Expressway Auto Dealers Charitable Foundation donated $50,000 to 12 elementary schools and supports 38 third grade classroom libraries. San Jose Schools Superintendent Don Iglesias, stated, "We are very grateful...for their generosity and commitment to education displayed by their...donation. Literacy is the key to successful learning for our students."

New Program: One San Jose Schools high school, Leland High School, has instituted the "Every 15 Minutes" program. This is an anti-DUI program which emphasizes good decision making for high school juniors and seniors. The program has two phases; phase one is a simulated accident scene and phase two is a funeral that includes guest speakers who have lost loved ones in alcohol related collisions. The program brings the San Jose Schools students as close as possible to losing a loved one, and brings home the reality of an alcohol related collision.

Just For the Kids: Another new program that San Jose Schools are participating in is the Just For The Kids program. This helps schools and communities compare their schools to similar schools in the state. Parents and educators can access the Just For The Kids web page at www.jftk-ca.org. The data is free and gives easy to understand data on every public school in California, including San Jose Schools. The information is designed to help schools and communities raise student achievement.

Opportunity: On Monday, April 2nd the non-profit California Dictionary Project, in conjunction with San Jose Schools and 100 volunteers from the community, will distribute dictionaries to all 3rd grade San Jose Schools students. Founded in 2002, the California Dictionary Project has distributed more than 75,000 dictionaries to kids who attend San Jose Schools.

School Choice: Giving families a choice in what school their children attend is all the rage these days. San Jose Schools meet this demand with magnet programs. The Magnet Schools Assistance Program in San Jose Schools funds six school sites for the 2004-2007 school years.

Excellent Bilingual Education: Two San Jose Schools - Olinder and Grant Elementary- recently received the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) Seal of Excellence Award. This award honors exemplary bilingual education programs.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit San Jose Public Schools

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