Superintendent D. Castro delivered the Lawndale Elementary School District’s annual State of the District report, citing districtwide gains on SBAC and ELPAC assessments, expansions of community-school services and investments in makerspaces and facilities.
Castro said district average proficiency on the SBAC in English language arts for grades 3–8 was 50 percent, mathematics 38 percent and science 33 percent; she reported grade-level and site increases ranging from six to 17 percentage points at some schools. Castro also said special-education proficiency rose roughly five percentage points districtwide, with some sites recording double-digit gains.
On English-language proficiency, Castro reported that 17 percent of test-takers earned a score of 4 on the ELPAC — a level used for reclassification — and that 19 percent of English learners had been reclassified as fluent English proficient (RFEP). She described expanded daily designated ELD (30 minutes), targeted tutoring partnerships and use of diagnostic tools such as i-Ready and MyPath.
The superintendent highlighted school-based recognitions: Mark Twain Elementary earned a platinum PBIS implementation award; Anderson, Will Rogers, Roosevelt and Billy Mitchell earned gold; Smith, Adams and Rogers earned silver. Castro also said Anderson received a California Distinguished School award in 2025 and said district staff continue to pursue a national Blue Ribbon recognition that was delayed by state action.
Castro outlined community-schools coordination led by district coordinator Emily Nittley and named site-based community liaisons. She described partnerships with Providence Little Company of Mary, Centinella Valley Union High School District, El Camino College and local nonprofit programs that provide food pantries, housing assistance and other family services.
On early childhood and STEM, Castro said the district’s state preschool earned a Tier 5 Quality Start LA rating, the district opened a new two-year-old class and expanded full-day preschool options. The district has districtwide makerspace programming, elementary robotics and Project STEM electives in middle school, and an elementary makerspace rotation for grades 3–5.
Castro also reviewed ongoing facilities projects funded by district bonds, including completed marquees at Anderson and Adams (July 2025), marquee replacements planned at other sites, completed perimeter fencing at Anderson, Twain and Adams, and pending fencing work at Green and Carson. She acknowledged the nutrition department’s “Turn Up the Beet” gold award and announced plans for continuing investments in safety measures, including video/Canine supports.
Trustees received the report as an informational item; no board policy or budget action was adopted during the presentation.