Fostering Excellence in Education Last spring the Academic Performance Index (API) announced its 2004 results which ranked the schools in the El Segundo Unified School District (ESUSD) 10th out of 50 unified school districts in Los Angeles County. The API is calculated based on the results of standardized tests taken each spring by California's 2nd through 11th graders.

While the ESUSD is encouraged by its 10th place ranking, the District has set a goal to improve its API ranking to at least 5th place by 2009. To help ESUSD reach this goal, the El Segundo Educational Foundation has pledged to grant $300,000 in the 2005-2006 school year for improvements in technology, writing, and K-12 art and music.

There are specific funding needs for improved technology. A grant of $150,000 will provide additional training and support for PowerSchool®, new classroom computers, and a new "Instruction Sharing" program enabling digital video lessons to be recorded for use by teachers and students.

A $48,000 grant for teacher participation in UCLA's nationally-acclaimed Writing Project will better prepare ESHS students to enter college or university level English classes. The remaining $102,000 will ensure continued art and music classes throughout the District including band, drama, art, and music.

Each of these funding opportunities was carefully selected for the extent that it will benefit the students in El Segundo schools, increase their learning, and help advance our schools to the next level of achievement. Making an investment today in these areas will improve the opportunities afforded to El Segundo school children in the future.

The Foundation is grateful for your support. This academic year we hope you will join us in helping to take education in El Segundo schools to the next level by making a pledge to support your local schools. To make a gift online today, please click here.