Education is not only a human right, it is also the driver of human development, says Dra. Beatriz Villarreal of Mano a Mano Foundation. It is one of the most effective ways of reducing poverty and of improving health markers, achieving gender equality, and creating peace and stability for all, she adds.
If your children are school-aged, you have the opportunity to work with them toward all these goals, plus their personal success in the future. “School is the key to success in life,” says Edward Becerra of Education Begins in the home.
The school year will be starting in August, but there are many ways you can start preparing in July to be involved in your children’s education. Read with them every day, enroll them in free library courses or summer classes, and review their lessons from the previous year.
Meanwhile, find out all you can about their school and how you can be directly involved.
Get involved with your children’s schools
Talk to your district or school community/family liaison.
Vote for your local school board, supervisor, etc.
Attend school board meetings (posted online).
Read minutes from school board meetings.
Go to parent–teacher conferences.
Ask about academic opportunities such as scholarships, mentoring, and more.
Find out about dual language, arts, sports, STEM, and other programs and the schools that offer them.
English Learners
Parents receive notification of the reasons the student is identified as an English Learner within 30 days of student enrollment, and exams determine children’s language level (ELPAC). Schools must provide free translation and interpretation from competent, trained individuals.
Special Education
According to California Education Code, schools are required to assist qualified students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP). You can request services with a letter to the school, and there are bilingual school liaisons or coordinators available to help you.
North County School District Information, 2024–2025 School Year
This chart is a guide. Please check with your school district for complete, updated information.
| School District / Distrito escolar | First Day of School /Primer día de clases | Contact / Contacto | Programs / Programas | Magnet or Charter / Magnet o Charter | Dual Immersion (English/Spanish) / Educación bilingüe |
| Bonsall Unified | August 14 | www.bonsallusd.com (760) 631-5200 Community Liaison: Leonor Rodriguez Leonor.rodriguez@bonsallusd.com 760-941-4409 | -Bonsall Forward in STEM -Early College with Palomar College / Universidad anticipada con Palomar College | Vivian Banks Charter | |
| Cardiff | August 13 | https://www.cardiffschools.com/Page/1 760-632-5890 | Elementary / Primaria | ||
| Carlsbad Unified | August 21 | https://www.carlsbadusd.net/ 760-331-5000 | |||
| Del Mar Union | August 13 | https://www.dmusd.org/ 858-755-9301 | STEAM+ program (arts, science, physical education, and interdisciplinary learning)/ Arte, ciencia, educación física, aprendizaje interdisciplinario | -Spanish Language Immersion Program Inmersión al español | |
| Encinitas Union | August 13 | https://www.eusd.net/ 760-944-4300 | Music Education Educación en música | -Capri -Paul Ecke Central. | |
| Escondido Union Elementary | August 20 | https://www.eusd.org/ 760-432-2400 Family Liaison Lead / Directora de Coordinadoras de Familias: Kimberly Israel kisreal@eusd.org | -STEAM: Quantum Academy -Virtual: Limitless Academy | -Heritage Charter | -Farr Avenue -Glen View -Lincoln -Pioneer -Mission Middle School |
| Escondido Union High School | August 13 | -Escondido Charter High School -Classical Academy -Audeo Charter School III | |||
| Fallbrook Union Elementary | August 12 | https://www.fuesd.org/ (760) 731-5400 321 Iowa St., Fallbrook | Fallbrook STEM Academy Fallbrook Virtual Academy | Maie Ellis Elementary | |
| Fallbrook Union High School | August 12 | https://www.fallbrookhs.org/fallbrook/fallbrook-home | Dual Immersion | ||
| Oceanside Unified | August 15 | https://www.oside.us/ -760-966-4000 -2111 Mission Ave., Oceanside Lead Community School Coordinator / Directora de coordinadores de escuelas comunitarias: Rosana Martinez Rosana.martinez@oside.us | Community Schools / Escuelas comunitarias: -Chávez Middle School -Jefferson Middle School -Laurel Elementary School -Libby Elementary School -Mission Elementary School -Pablo Tac School of the Arts | -Nichols Leadership Academy -Del Rio STEM Academy -Foussat Language Academy -Pablo Tac School of the Arts -Coastal Academy Charter -Pacific View Charter | -Foussat Language Academy -Pablo Tac School of the Arts -Chávez Middle School |
| Poway Unified | August 21 | https://www.powayusd.com/ 858-521-2800 | Home education / Desde el hogar Hybrid education / Híbrida Poway to Palomar | -Valley Spanish Dual Language Program (Españo) -Adobe Bluffs Mandarin Chinese Immersion Program (chino mandarín) | |
| Ramona Unified | August 19 | https://www.ramonausd.net/en-US (760) 787-2000 | Virtual: Mountain Valley Academy Future Bound: Montecito High School (Virtual) | ||
| Rancho Santa Fe | August 12 | https://www.rsfschool.net/ 858-756-1141 | |||
| San Dieguito Union High | August 13 | https://www.sduhsd.net/ 760-753-6491 | STEM Programs | ||
| San Marcos Unified | August 20 | https://www.smusd.org/ 760-752-1299 District Parent Liaison / Enlace con padres de familia en el distrito: Anileydi “Ani” Diaz-Chavez 760-290-2597 | Adelita Gonzales, Coordinator of Community Schools / Coordinadora de Escuelas Comunitarias 760-290-2448 | -Twin Oaks Elementary | |
| San Pasqual Union | August 21 | https://www.sanpasqualunion.net/ 760-745-4931 | Partnership with the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Socios del Parque Safari de San Diego | ||
| Solana Beach Elementary | August 12 | https://www.sbsd.k12.ca.us/ 858-794-7100 | |||
| Vallecitos in Rainbow | August 15 | https://www.vallecitossd.net/ (760) 728-7092 | |||
| Valley Center-Pauma Unified | August 13/14 | https://www.vcpusd.org/ 760-749-0464 | Complimentary student breakfast & lunch Desayuno y almuerzo gratuitos para estudiantes | ||
| Vista Unified | August 15 | https://www.vistausd.org/ 760-726-2170 Lead of Community and Family Engagement (FACE) Network / Directora de la Red de Enlaces comunitarios y famliares: Kiki Bispo, 760-310-7073 | -Casita Center -Vista Academy -Vista Magnet Middle School -Vista Innovation Design Academy (VIDA) -Mission Vista High School -Guajome Park Academy Charter School -Bella Menta Montessori Academy Charter -North County Trade Tech High School -SIATech | -Grapevine Elementary -Alamosa Park -Hannalei Elementary | |
| Liberty High School | Ongoing | 858-495-5563 libraryhighschool@sdcounty.ca.gov | High school free online for adults / High school gratis en línea para los adultos | ||
| Cal State San Marcos (Fall) | August 26 | -California State University | 4-year university with degree programs / Universidad de 4 años de duración con programas de grado | ||
| MiraCosta College | August 19 | -Community College | Palomar y MiraCosta College ofrecen clases GRATIS de inglés, tecnología, Internet y otras materias. | ||
| Palomar College | August 26 | -Community College | Palomar y MiraCosta College ofrecen clases GRATIS de inglés, tecnología, Internet y otras materias. |
