I am often asked questions about our high school and wish to provide information on some of the good things that are occurring. Please note I am speaking for solely myself, not the school board or district.

The San Leandro High School Class of 2007 earned $2 million dollars in college grants, financial aid and community scholarships. A large source of donations came from the San Leandro Scholarship Foundation. For the second consecutive year, Harvard and Stanford universities accepted the top two seniors. Fifty-five seniors were accepted to University of California campuses, and almost 120 seniors are continuing their studies at California State University campuses.

Last year, the percentage of students taking the California High School Exit Exam for the first time and passing the English section of the test increased sharply (by 11 percent), with even greater gains recorded by African American and Latino students. The high school’s Academic Performance Index (API) jumped 25 points to 685, one of the larger increases by a high school in Alameda County in 2007 and the largest increase of any nearby high school.

The high school features several academies including ones on business and marketing and multi-media enterprises. These are schools within the high school where groups of students take a focused course of study starting in 10th grade taught by a small group of teachers.

This year an academy based on the concept of service learning started. Called the Social Justice Academy, the curriculum includes social science courses, including economics and government, as well as English and forensics (debate). Start-up funding for the academy comes from a California Department of Education grant of $250,000 over three years for developing small schools. It is a highly competitive process to obtain these grants. San Leandro was the sole high school in Alameda County to secure this grant last year.

Students in the Social Justice Academy will work with local organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and Davis Street Family Resource Center to create and implement projects to address key social issues in our community. The academy is one of many ways in which the high school is fostering social responsibility and leadership skills among students, and promoting critical thinking and life long learning.

Students at San Leandro High School can take up to eleven Advanced Placement courses: AP English, AP Government, AP U.S. History, AP World History, AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Spanish, AP French, AP Computer Science and AP Studio Art. In addition to its strong academic departments, the high school features an outstanding sports program and offers one of the most comprehensive career and technical education programs in Alameda County, with classes in metal, wood making, auto, multimedia and business.

San Leandro High is one of a handful of high schools in the Bay Area that has been selected by the Jefferson Awards based on the outstanding public service of its students. Last year, 76 seniors were recognized for having contributed more than 50 hours each in service to our community. This year more than 1,200 students are participating on academic, service and other clubs. More than 800 students are competing in athletics.

Finally, on the topic of student safety, two years ago the school board approved a series of fences and gates for the front of San Leandro High School at the request of the principal and school personnel. The project was completed in September 2006. The objective was to assist school security personnel in deterring unauthorized non-students from entering the campus, and reducing graffiti and vandalism on weekends and school breaks.

This objective was largely met last year. No significant fights arising non-students entering campus occurred and the number of incidents of “tagging” and amount of graffiti on campus dropped sharply. In my opinion, the fences and gates have also improved the appearance of the school.