Principal's Message

At La Mesa, we are dedicated to excellence. As we look at our goals for the upcoming year—specifically regarding our standardized test scores and academic benchmarks—one variable stands out above the rest: Attendance.

We often talk about curriculum and study habits, but the data tells a simple story: High attendance correlates to higher achievement.

When we analyze our academic performance, we see that students with an attendance rate of 95% or higher consistently outperform their peers. Even missing just two days a month adds up to 10% of the school year. That is 10% of instruction, 10% of class participation, and 10% of social development lost.

The Academic Impact:

• Continuity: Math and literacy skills build upon one another daily. Missing a lesson on Tuesday makes understanding Wednesday’s lesson much harder.
• Confidence: Students who attend regularly feel more prepared and less anxious during testing.
• Results: Positive attendance is the single strongest predictor of graduation rates and college readiness.

We are asking for your commitment this year. Let’s minimize absences and maximize learning time. Let’s give our students every opportunity to demonstrate how brilliant they are.

Warm regards,