Course of Study
Welcome to Pacific Beach Elementary School, where excellence in education meets a commitment to academic rigor. As the principal, I am proud to announce that our institution is dedicated to implementing the California Common Core State Standards (CA CCSS) to ensure that every student receives a high-quality education.
The California Common Core State Standards provide a framework that emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world application of knowledge and skills. By aligning our curriculum with these standards, we are preparing our students to thrive in an ever-changing world, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
At Pacific Beach Elementary, we believe in fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing rigorous instruction that challenges and inspires students to reach their full potential. Through innovative teaching methods, personalized learning experiences, and a supportive learning environment, we strive to empower every student to excel.
As we embark on this journey together, I encourage you to actively engage in your child's education and partner with us to ensure their success. Together, we can cultivate a community of lifelong learners who are prepared to tackle the challenges of the future with confidence and competence. Standards can be found
HERE.
STEAM FOCUSED
In addition to the CCSS, we are proud to announce the integration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) into our academic offerings at PBE.
STEAM education fosters critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, preparing our students for the challenges of the future. By incorporating STEAM principles into our curriculum, we aim to empower our students to become versatile thinkers and lifelong learners who are well-equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Our STEAM program will engage students in hands-on, interdisciplinary learning experiences that encourage exploration, experimentation, and discovery. Through project-based activities, real-world applications, and opportunities for creative expression, students will deepen their understanding of core concepts while developing essential 21st-century skills.
Moreover, the integration of STEAM into our curriculum aligns with our mission to nurture well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also socially conscious and technologically adept. By embracing STEAM education, we aim to inspire curiosity, ignite passion, and cultivate a love for learning among our students.
We invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Together, let us empower our students to unleash their full potential and make meaningful contributions to our ever-changing world. You can learn more
HERE.
San Diego Youth Science Partnership
San Diego Youth Science is dedicated to providing effective, innovative, and equitable
science education for its TK through 5th-grade students. Since 2016, PBE has partnered with San
Diego Youth Science (SDYS) to enhance classroom-based science. This partnership allows
PBE’s students to engage in authentic, hands-on science experiences that most elementary
students never encounter.
SDYS custom curricula are NGSS-aligned and designed to inspire scientific thinking and
engagement by leveraging current scientific phenomena, cutting-edge research, and place-based
learning with authentic science supplies and often living organisms. In the classroom and on field
trips, TK-5th grade students work with SDYS educators/scientists to examine data sets and
science materials typically unavailable in elementary schools, supporting student-driven
experimentation in the process of science.
Often working with local and national organizations like the Scripps Institution of Oceanography
(SIO), San Diego Zoo Safari Park, NOAA, and SailDrone, SDYS highlights current scientific
research important to students in San Diego. These collaborations ensure that students see the
relevance of their learning and develop a profound understanding of the scientific process. SDYS
curricula are intentionally designed to provide interdisciplinary learning opportunities that
encourage and foster student curiosity. Examples of scientific topics explored by students in the
2023-2024 school year include:
● Energy Transfer, Animal Adaptations, Human Impact (marine mammal bioacoustics and
potential effects of anthropogenic noise)
● Lifecycles and Food Webs (dissection of squid, mackerel, or spiny dogfish from local and
sustainable fisheries)
● Physics and Wavelengths (electricity, circuits, radio science, and the digital transfer of
information)
● Habitats and Adaptations (ecology field trips to rocky intertidal zones)
Homework
School and district policies require homework and outside reading on a regular basis. Each teacher has a homework policy that meets these requirements. Your child will bring home a copy of the policy for his or her classroom during the first few weeks of school.