Irvine Unified School District

Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) is a public school district located in Irvine, Orange County, California.

Irvine USD serves most of the city of Irvine. Its student enrollment during the 2002-2003 school year was 24,700, spread across 22 elementary, 7 middle, and 4 high schools. All four of its high schools were listed in Newsweek's 1,000 Best Public High Schools in America for both 2003 [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6362098/site/newsweek/ Newsweek 1000 Best Public High Schools in America - 2003] ] and 2005. [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7723397/site/newsweek/ Newsweek 1000 Best Public High Schools in America - 2005] ] Elementary and middle schools within the district also continue to achieve above average standardized test scores and national distinctions.

High schools

"(all serve grades 9-12)"
*Irvine High School
*Northwood High School
*University High School
*Woodbridge High School

Middle schools

* Lakeside Middle School "(grades 7-8)"
* Plaza Vista Middle School "(grades K-5 and 6-8)"
* Rancho San Joaquin Middle School "(grades 7-8)"
* Venado Middle School "(grades 7-8)"
* Vista Verde Middle School "(grades K-5 and 6-8)"
* Woodbury Middle School "opens fall 2009, (grades 6-8)"

ierra Vista Middle School

Sierra Vista Middle School is a middle school serving the northern part of Irvine, including the neighborhood of Northwood. It was named a California Distinguished School. Sierra Vista's music program is notable for having both its Symphonic Band and Symphonic Orchestra receive Superiors almost every year at the University High School Instrumental Music Festival. Mascot: Charger Horse, Principal: Dr. Lynn Matassarin, Website: [http://sierravistams.org/]

outh Lake Middle School

South Lake Middle School, commonly referred to as Southlake, is a grade 7-8 middle school, serving the central part of Irvine, including the neighborhoods of Woodbridge and Westpark. Mascot: Shark, Principal: Bruce Baron, Most influential ever teacher employed: Mr. Vince Fabella, Notable Alumnus: Colt Brennan, Website: [http://www.southlakems.org/]

Elementary schools

*Alderwood Basics Plus Elementary School (also known as Quail Hill Elementary School) "(grades K-6)"
*Bonita Canyon Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Brywood Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Canyon View Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*College Park Elementary School "(grades K-6)" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Park_Elementary]
*Culverdale Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Deerfield Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Eastshore Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Woodbury Elementary School (previously El Camino Real Elementary School) "(grades K-6)"
*Greentree Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Meadow Park Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Northwood Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Oak Creek Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Plaza Vista Middle School "(grades K-5 and 6-8)"
*Santiago Hills Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Springbrook Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Stone Creek Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Turtle Rock Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*University Park Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Vista Verde Middle School "(grades K-5 and 6-8)"
*Westwood Basics Plus Elementary School "(grades K-6)"
*Westpark Elementary School "(grades K-6)"

Music program

The IUSD music program is unique in that it mandates all students in grades four through six to participate in either vocal or instrumental music. The IUSD Music Program is a highly recognized music program because, in the words of Henry Miller,"We have the brains, but not the stuff," indicating that the program has wonderful players but not enough money. For example, each music teacher is given $200 per school year to buy all the class's supply needs, which results in teachers having to rely on donations from students and the Irvine Public Schools Foundation to make the music program work.

=Teachers of the Year=

High School

*2007-08: Joan Malkin, Political Science, Woodbridge High School
*2006-07: Mike Nakaue
*2005-06: Jim Antenore, World Studies and Comparative Religion, Irvine High School
*2004-05: Josh Davis, Latin, University High School

=Middle School=
*2007-08: Lynn Kaminsky, South Lake Middle School
*2006-07: Linda Brooks, Plaza Vista Middle School
*2005-06: Jon Pang, History, Lakeside Middle School
*2004-05: Kay Gee, GATE Humanities 7 and English 7, Rancho San Joaquin Middle School

Elementary School

*2007-08: Beth Higgins, Kindergarten, Canyon View Elementary School
*2006-07: Joanne Srsic, Culverdale Elementary School
*2005-06: Irene Krosen, String Orchestra, Turtle Rock and Eastshore Elementary
*2004-05: Sue Schultz, 6th Grade, Westpark Elementary School

=Teachers of Promise=

=High School=
*2007-08: Peter Alix, Journalism, University High School
*2007-08: Terri Fisher, Northwood High School
*2006-07: Shan Wu, English, Woodbridge High School
*2005-06: Amber Brooks, English, University High School
*2004-05: Derek Venlet, Music, Irvine High School

Middle School

*2006-07: Martha Barret, Southlake Middle School
*2005-06: Stephine Michrina, Language Arts, Lakeside Middle School
*2004-05: Daryl Singhi, History, Lakeside Middle School

=Elementary School=
*2007-08: Terence Ngo, Bonita Canyon Elementary School
*2007-08: Jessica Cox, Santiago Hills Elementary School
*2006-07: Lauren McCleary
*2006-07: Kristen Alosi
*2005-06: Kate Higgs, Elementary Science Specialist
*2004-05: John Paul Hernandez, 4th Grade, Stone Creek Elementary School
*2004-05: Brooke Kelley, 1st Grade, Meadowpark Elementary School

References

* [http://www.iusd.k12.ca.us/district_info/whoweare.htm Irvine Unified School District - Student, Staff, and Resource Allocation Information]