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Santa Monica High principal highlights AP gains, new academies and attendance work
Summary
Principal Marie Cruz told the board about rising AP success, two new academies (health/wellness and law/public policy), improvements in some CAASPP measures and an ongoing focus on reducing absenteeism, which she reported at 20.5% at the high school.
Principal Marie Cruz delivered a site update focused on academics, academies and campus upgrades. She told the board that 57% of students met or exceeded in math on CAASPP and 83% met or exceeded in English; she said 85% of students who took at least one AP exam scored a 3 or higher. Cruz also described two new academies — health and wellness and law and public policy — and partnerships with local institutions, including work with Santa Monica College and planned student opportunities with UCLA.
On attendance, Cruz reported the school's chronic absenteeism rate at 20.5% and described multiple site supports: advisers conducting outreach after five absences, two student outreach specialists placing students on attendance contracts, and monthly positive attendance celebrations (including fast passes and small gift cards) as incentives. Cruz also noted recent facilities improvements (new Barnum Hall seats, new courts and stands at the stadium) and invited board members to upcoming events.
The presentation tied site‑level improvement strategies to district priorities discussed in the dashboard presentation and to the district's effort to combine quantitative indicators with student voice going forward.
