Superintendent's Weekly Update

October 16, 2026

Dear PUSD Families,

Our award-winning digital media internship program, Studio 701, is a wonderful example of what happens when students have opportunities to turn their interests into meaningful, hands-on learning. These talented high school students plan, film, write, and edit stories that highlight the people and programs across Poway Unified, while building their own skills in storytelling, production, and teamwork.

Studio 701 produces monthly Excellence in Education videos to share with our Board and community. Their first video of the year focuses on Career Technical Education, or CTE, pathways and programs that help students discover a passion that can lead to success in college, career, and life after high school. I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch Episode 1: CTE Expo.

Our CTE program in Poway Unified is exceptional, connecting rigorous classroom learning with opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in practical and creative ways. Across our middle schools and high schools, pathways span fields such as engineering and construction technology, health science and biotechnology, arts and digital media, business and finance, auto tech and fire science, and many more. These experiences help students explore possibilities, develop technical skills, and better understand how their learning connects to their futures.

Just as valuable are the skills students develop along the way: communicating clearly, solving problems, collaborating with others, and following through on a project. Whether students have a specific career in mind or are still discovering what interests them, CTE gives them opportunities to build confidence and make informed choices about their next steps.

These programs also strengthen our community. Partnerships with local businesses and industry professionals connect students with people who can share their expertise and help them understand the opportunities available beyond school. In turn, our community benefits from young people who are prepared to contribute their talents, ideas, and skills.

I am grateful to our teachers, support staff, and community partners who make these experiences possible, and to our Studio 701 interns for helping us see this work through students’ eyes. I hope this video sparks a conversation with your child about what excites them, what they would like to explore, and where their interests might take them.

With gratitude,

Ben

We want to hear from you! Participate in our Fall Survey and help us understand what is working well, where families may be having different experiences, and where we can continue to improve.

Results will be used alongside other information to help us strengthen the education experience for everyone.

This survey will remain open through Friday, October 16, 2026. Click here to share your experiences.

In this year's California School Dashboard results, Poway Unified School District ranked in the top two rating levels (blue and green) across all eight areas of focus, the only unified district in San Diego County to do so in 2026's results.

Ratings examine eight areas of focus: state test scores in English language arts, math and science; suspension and chronic absenteeism rates; high school graduation rate; English learner progress; and the percentage of college- or career-ready high school graduates. Read more

Students from several Poway Unified high schools ranked among the top competitors during the San Diego Imperial Valley Speech League Speech Opener. The opener featured high schools from around San Diego County and more than 20 students per event, competing in categories including Original Advocacy, Informative, Original Prose Poetry, Dramatic Interpretation, Program Oral Interpretation, Impromptu, and more.

Students representing Del Norte, Mt. Carmel, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, and Westview high schools ranked highly across several Novice and Varsity competitions. Congratulations to all of these students for their incredible work, and coaching staff for their dedication to Speech and Debate excellence in our district! Read more

Alice Yan, a 10th grader at Westview High, has been selected as the national winner of the 11th annual Student Trophy Design Contest, sponsored by the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and Stratasys Ltd., a manufacturer of 3D printers and production systems.

This is the second consecutive year a Westview High student has won the competition, following Alex Tang’s 2025 win. The Student Trophy Design Contest is a competition for students to design the 3D trophy that will be presented to winners of the ACTE Excellence Awards. Read more

Students from Del Norte, Mt. Carmel, and Poway high schools cheered on one another during Friday's Unified PE soccer tournament at PHS' Titan Stadium. Teams competed in multiple matches throughout the afternoon, as students cheered on from the stands.

The Unified PE program brings together students with disabilities and their peers to connect and compete. Del Norte, Poway, and Rancho Bernardo high schools are among PUSD schools that have received Unified Champion School recognition by Special Olympics Southern California.

The San Diego County Office of Education is hosting a Family Digital Wellness Series, designed to support families in building healthy, positive, and balanced relationships with technology.

The series will cover a variety of important digital wellness topics and provide families with practical tools and strategies they can use at home. You can view the complete schedule, dates, topics, and registration information online here.

• Employment Opportunities
• New Student Enrollment
• Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes
• Board Briefs, Policies, and Administrative Regulations Updates
• District Calendars

• October 21, 2026 — Parenting Education: Calm in the Chaos: Helping Parents Stay Regulated During Challenging Moments (Register)
• October 22, 2026 — Parenting Education: Parenting Preteens: Growing Confidence and Connection (Register)
• November 4, 2026 — Parenting Education: Raising Pre-Teens in Immigrant and Multicultural Families (Register)
• November 5, 2026 — Board of Education Meeting (Info)