Newport-Mesa leaders tout test-score gains, expanded swim-safety and new strategic plan at State of the Schools breakfast

Newport-Mesa Unified School District leaders, staff and community partners gathered at Estancia High School for the district's annual State of the Schools breakfast, where officials highlighted recent academic gains, new student-safety and career programs and an upcoming strategic planning effort.

Board President Christine Weigart (as introduced from the stage) and Superintendent Wesley Smith framed the event as both a celebration and a call to action, thanking volunteers, labor leaders and local businesses that support district programs. Vicki Schnell, president of the Newport Mesa Schools Foundation, said the foundation had raised about $60,000 toward a $100,000 goal for the year and thanked major sponsors that fund teacher grants.

Superintendent Smith said the district improved on state testing "in all areas throughout the district," and reported multiple indicators of progress: higher statewide-ranking placements for some schools, an 11.5% increase in Advanced Placement participation, a 3.5% increase in AP pass rates compared with the prior year and a reported 97% graduation rate for all students. "We are going to be in every classroom every day because that's where learning happens," Smith said, describing partnerships with educators and community groups that he said made the gains possible.

Leaders emphasized both academic and extracurricular success. Speakers noted individual honors including perfect ACT scores, National Merit recognition and multiple full-ride scholarships. The district also pointed to recent athletic accomplishments, including CIF championships, and said students won awards in STEM and innovation competitions.

On student safety and access, the district introduced a new after-school swim and water-safety program intended to ensure more students can learn to swim. A produced video shown at the event described the program's components: facility tours, safety briefings, personalized swim assessments, transportation and provision of swim gear (shorts, towels, goggles and a t-shirt). "When we teach students to swim, we save lives," Smith said, crediting partners including the Ben Carlson Foundation, the City of Costa Mesa and the Newport Junior Guard.

The district also highlighted career technical education (CTE) pathways and internship opportunities that connect students to local businesses. Students who spoke at the breakfast described hands-on experiences in robotics, electrical-vehicle competitions and construction-site tours that district leaders said help prepare students for college and the workforce.

Officials described community outreach work including a district kickoff that involved more than 60 partner organizations and provided supplies and services to families: organizers reported distributing about 1,700 pairs of shoes, 2,000 backpacks, 200 skateboards, support from 25 hairstylists and two mobile clinics, helping roughly 2,100 families prepare for the school year.

Smith closed by announcing a district strategic planning process to develop a "portrait of a graduate," set priorities for long-term resource use and invite community participation in crafting goals for every student.

The program included brief remarks from labor leaders and a recognition of district staff and school-site leaders. The ASB president at Estancia closed the program with student perspective on leadership and fundraising for student activities. No formal board actions or votes were taken at the event; the gathering focused on reports, recognition and community engagement.