Students at both San Onofre and Mary Fay Pendleton schools demonstrated unprecedented achievement growth compared to other schools across California
San Onofre School and Mary Fay Pendleton, two schools aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton exclusively serving students from active military families, have experienced unprecedented growth in academic achievement. Recent performance results in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics underscore a commitment to high-quality, targeted education tailored to the needs of military-connected students.
Both schools have been awarded the prestigious Purple Star designation by the State of California, recognizing their exceptional commitment to supporting military-connected families and students. This honor is reserved for schools that go above and beyond in addressing the unique challenges faced by military families, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment.
The 2023-2024 academic year results highlight the dedication of both school communities to fostering academic success. San Onofré School achieved a significant 8% increase in ELA scores, rising to 76%, and an impressive 11% improvement in Math, reaching 73%. Mary Fay Pendleton, through sustained efforts, saw a respectful 1% increase in ELA scores, now at 70%, and a notable 7% improvement in Math, reaching 66%. These gains reflect the focused, collaborative work of educators and staff who operate within Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) at each grade level.
“As a site, we have prioritized implementing the principles of operating as a professional learning community,” said Joe Kniseley, Principal of San Onofré School. “In this process, each grade-level team identifies the most essential learning standards for their grade. Teachers collaboratively create common assessments to measure students’ understanding of these standards. After analyzing the data, they identify which students have demonstrated mastery and which students need additional support. Based on this analysis, teachers then discuss and implement the most effective strategies for reteaching students who need further instruction, while extending learning opportunities for those who have already mastered the content.”
Brian Frost, Principal of Mary Fay Pendleton, added, “Mary Fay Pendleton has seen successful gains in achievement due to the hard work of our staff, who have been working collaboratively to identify critical standards, deliver instruction that meets students at their proficiency level, and track student data to identify trends of success and areas for improvement. By reteaching in small, leveled groups, we ensure that every student receives the support they need. Mary Fay also prides itself on meeting the social-emotional needs of our military-connected students. Finally, we have a parent community that is highly supportive and partners with us to ensure their children grow academically each year.”
The recent growth is attributed to targeted approaches developed in the PLC model, where grade-level teams identify essential learning standards, collaboratively create assessments, analyze data, and adapt instruction accordingly. This model not only supports students who need additional assistance but also extends learning opportunities for those who have demonstrated mastery.
With the Purple Star designation, both San Onofré and Mary Fay Pendleton are honored to be recognized for their dedication to military families and look forward to continuing their mission to support academic growth and a welcoming environment for all students.