The new school year begins Monday, Aug. 12 for Point Loma Cluster and its nine schools – Cabrillo, Dewey, Loma Portal, Ocean Beach, Silver Gate, and Sunset View elementary schools, along with Dana and Correia middle schools, and Point Loma High School.
The Point Loma Cluster is part of the San Diego Unified School District, the second-largest school district in California, which includes 121 elementary schools, 24 middle schools, 21 high schools, and two atypical schools.
The Point Loma Cluster serves over 6,400 students in grades K-12 and its student population is diverse. Over 40% of the cluster’s student population qualifies for the federal free and reduced lunch program. About 25% of students come from outside the cluster, while 14% are English learners.
Tara Mcnamara, SDUSD information services specialist, noted the district is excited to welcome students back, pointing out that the earlier start date this year marks the final transition in the academic calendar as outlined by the Board resolution adopted in 2022.
“Starting the school year earlier allows the first semester to end before the December winter break, providing students an opportunity to fully enjoy the winter break without the obligations of end-of-semester projects and exams,” she said about the rationale for the earlier school start. “The adjusted academic calendar also provides more instructional days before standardized assessments such as CAASPP, AP, SAT, and ACT. What’s more, the change aligns with the community college calendars for students who are dually enrolled and/or attending specific summer programs or college orientations that begin in June. The academic year remains at 180 instructional days, with the last day of school for the 2024-25 school year on Thursday, May 29.”
Concerning SDUSD policies regarding sometimes problematic issues like student use of e-bikes and cell phones, McNamara said: “There is no district-wide policy on bikes or electric bikes. San Diego Unified encourages walking and riding bikes as a healthy and environmentally friendly way to get to and from school. Students who ride their bikes to school should do so safely by always wearing a helmet and following all bicycle laws.
“There is also no change in policy regarding cell phones. Existing guidelines and information for families can be found in the 2024-25 Facts for Parents, an annual publication containing updated information relevant to the families of San Diego Unified including rights and responsibilities as well as district, local, state, and federal policies that impact all students.”
This year, Loma Portal Elementary at 3341 Browning St. and Point Loma High at 2335 Chatsworth Blvd., will be the beneficiaries of safety improvements being made by the City, as Transportation Department crews have added or refreshed crosswalks at key school intersections, before students’ return.
“Providing the latest and most effective safety features for pedestrians and all road users is one of the highest priorities of the Transportation Department,” said Transportation Department director Bethany Bezak. “In this case, we were able to maximize our available funding by making data-driven decisions on which school crossings to refresh as students and their families prepare for the back-to-school season.”
Intersection upgrades included installing or repainting continental crosswalks, which provide greater visibility and improved guidance for pedestrians and motorists. Thermoplastic pavement painting and school crossing signs have been added in both directions to provide drivers with advanced notice before approaching the crosswalk. Crews also refreshed street infrastructure, including repainting curbs and re-striping nearby roadway markings. The safety upgrades and new crosswalks were selected based on location data generated by Get It Done reports and other requests for service.
It’s also an extra-special year for Point Loma High School, which is gearing up for its 100th anniversary gala in fall 2025. PLHS is looking for volunteers to help with PA fundraising initiatives. Fill out this Google form to let the school know more about you and where you’d like to help. PLHS is looking for committee leads and members, underwriters, sponsors, and anyone interested in supporting this celebration and fundraising effort.
