Serves: Simi Valley
Grades: K-12
Students: 16,436
Superintendent: Dr. Jason Peplinski
As the superintendent of the Simi Valley Unified School District, I am proud of our district’s diversity and achievements. Each year brings new challenges, but also new successes. We currently serve the city of Simi Valley and the surrounding unincorporated county area and are one of the largest school districts in Ventura County.
Our most exciting news it that for the first time since 2004, we have started the new school year with more students than the prior year. Our enrollment is 16,436, four students over our June 2019 enrollment of 16,432. Last year, our enrollment stayed level throughout the year, another positive shift that we had not seen in many years. In a time when many California school districts are seeing declining enrollment, we are working hard to serve and retain our families and I believe it is showing results.
Over the summer, many changes were made to our campuses. From new air conditioning at Santa Susana Elementary School to the construction start of multi-purpose buildings at Garden Grove Elementary School and the Simi Institute for Careers & Education, to a new entryway at Simi Valley High School and extensive security measures installed in all of our schools, our facilities are receiving wonderful upgrades that add to their comfort, safety and visual appeal. Most of these projects are funded through Measure X, the 2016 school bond the voters of Simi Valley graciously approved, and we are grateful for the support of our community.
Part of the Measure X Bond includes refurbishing all of the classrooms in the Simi Valley Unified School District. Just as teaching methods evolve to meet the needs of today’s learners, so do our classrooms. Flexible furniture arrangements allow students to collaborate better, to stand at times, to move while learning, and more. Over the summer, two additional schools received schoolwide updates: Atherwood Elementary School and Valley View Middle School. They join last year’s schools: Arroyo, Knolls, Mountain View and Wood Ranch elementary schools and Santa Susana High School. These schools received new furniture and technology for all classrooms, along with additional campus renovations. In time, every remaining school in Simi Valley will receive similar upgrades to their campuses.
While we are enjoying the many wonderful things happening around our district, our main goals continue to be increasing student engagement and academic achievement, improving customer service and making our campuses as safe as possible. Our mission is to welcome every child coming to our schools and to help them reach their highest potential. We provide an atmosphere of inclusion for all students and work hard to instill a lifelong love of learning.
Remember that at Simi Valley Schools, our students go from here to anywhere!