Principal's Message
Welcome to California Elementary School, a California Distinguished School and home of the Cougars! We proudly serve approximately 330 students in transitional kindergarten through sixth grade. Situated on nearly 8.5 acres adjacent to TeWinkle Middle School in the city of Costa Mesa, California Elementary is a tight-knit school community that offers engaging, relevant, and rigorous core curriculum with supplemental programming and experiences consistent with our school’s vision: academic excellence through technology and the arts. Our highly trained and dedicated staff work collaboratively with our parent community, our PTA, and our school foundation to challenge students, set high expectations for achievement, and provide opportunities for them to grow and learn in a safe environment.
Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS)
At California, we value one another and firmly believe students deserve to learn and grow in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment. Expectations for behavior are explicitly taught and positively reinforced by all of our staff. Students are expected to model Cougar Core Values (Respectful, Responsible, Ready to Learn), not only at school, but at home and in the community. Parents and community will be partners in implementation and maintenance of our Core Values.
Programs
California Elementary School offers a wide array of programs to serve and meet the needs of an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse student body. Our core curriculum includes English language arts/ English language development, math, science, history-social science, technology, physical education, and music. Our English Language Development Program, Gifted and Talented Education Program (GATE), and Special Education Program are integral components of our core academic curriculum. Supplemental programming includes outdoor science education, performing arts, and visual arts. We work diligently as a team to make sure all instruction is engaging, positive, and motivating, and we keep our focus the broad aim for students to envision a future of opportunity and success. By maintaining this broad perspective and working as a cohesive school community, we firmly believe that college and professional endeavors are possible for all of our students.
Visual and Performing Arts
Visual and performing arts represent another important area of focus here at California Elementary School. We offer two levels of show choir and band. Show choir is open to all 1st through 6th grade students. Staged productions have included Annie, Willy Wonka, 101 Dalmatians, and Beauty and the Beast, and students have opportunities to participate in a variety of roles, both on and off stage. Our bands feature brass, percussion, strings, and woodwinds, and they perform across the community at high school football games, district music festivals, Knott’s Berry Farm and Costa Mesa City Hall.
I am beyond excited to serve as California's Principal this year and for many years to come. I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you as you enter our doors. It is a privilege to serve as principal of such an outstanding school in such a welcoming community. Go Cougars!
Dr. Jason Kuncewicki
Principal
Office: 714-424-7940
Fax: 714-424-4711