High marks for School District

Editor: It’s important to remember that great work is being done overall in our public schools. In particular, this year has been a strong one for SVUSD, because both governmental and commercial measures indicate our schools are having increasing levels of success.  For instance, US News & World Report found that Sonoma Valley’s College Readiness Index, at 36.7, is now exceeded by only three Napa-Sonoma area schools: Maria Carrillo, Casa Grande, and Roseland University Prep.

This result is confirmed by State measures of performance. In general, Sonoma County rates poorly on preparing students for college given what’s expected for a county of its wealth. It is one of the clearest and worst under-performers in the State.  But Sonoma Valley is different.  SVUSD does 40 percent better on preparing students for college than the rest of Sonoma County. Sonoma Valley now outperforms Napa as well. SVUSD deserves a lot of credit for turning in such a strong result.

One of the best things about working for the past couple of years with our District, our very strong Superintendent, and so many dedicated principals and teachers, is that it gives some context concerning the regular and sustained progress being made.

John Kelly, Sonoma